May Day: Workers, immigrants, activists march worldwide against Trump agenda

UPDATED: May 2, 2025 07:10 IST

Tens of thousands of people across the United States and around the world gathered to protest against President Donald Trump's policies on May Day 2025, staging more than 1,100 protests under the banner of the "50501" movement — shorthand for 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.

In the United States, organisers framed this year’s Workers’ Day protests as a pushback against what they see as the administration’s sweeping assault on labour protections, diversity initiatives and federal employees. Protesters lined streets in many cities, like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.

Protesters carried signs, drummed, chanted slogans, and waved colourful flags as they raised awareness about what they claim are assaults on workers' rights, federal programs, and immigration policies under Trump. Organisers claimed the protests were about defending protections for labour, unity, and resisting policies that they feel are unfair and harmful.

"We need to stand up and fight back," said Latrina Barnes, a 48-year-old nurse’s assistant from Chicago. She attended a May Day rally for the first time this year because she’s worried that Medicaid and Medicare could be weakened under Trump’s leadership.

They marched in the streets in Chicago chanting, "No justice, no peace!" Some of them used their humour and carried a Trump puppet, an inflatable Trump baby chicken, and a bull-shaped piata.

In Philadelphia, Senator Bernie Sanders addressed a large crowd outside City Hall. Some protestors sat in the streets holding signs reading "Workers over billionaires." Police later took several of them into custody.

NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT AGAINST TRUMP

In Los Angeles, thousands marched with signs saying "Immigrants make America great" and "It’s not the time to be silent." The event felt more like a celebration, with music, dancing, and strong energy. The rally was organised by the Los Angeles May Day Coalition, which includes labor unions and community groups.

April Verrett, president of the Service Employees Union, which represents 2 million workers, declared, "We’re bringing the fight to the billionaires and politicians who are trying to divide us with fear and lies."

In Atlanta, demonstrators gathered near the state Capitol. Some were retired workers from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is expected to lose about 2,400 employees due to budget cuts tied to Trump policies.

"We really want to stand up for all of our fellow labourers who were laid off or just fired with no real reason," said Deblina Datta, a retired CDC worker. "Without the CDC, bad things will happen."

The arrest of Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil drew special attention. "This is about all of us in the face of escalating repression," said Veronica Salama, a lawyer with the New York Civil Liberties Union. "We recognise the interconnectedness of our struggles."

GLOBAL PROTESTS DEMONSTRATE SHARED CONCERNS

Outside the US, workers and activists across Europe and Asia also protested against Trump’s influence. In France, union leaders blamed the "Trumpization" of world politics for rising tensions. In Germany and Switzerland, marchers condemned growing anti-immigrant sentiment and threats to worker protections.

In Spain, where recent power outages caused anger, Trump’s name came up again. "The arrival of the far right to a country like the United States is a major global shift," said ngel Lpez, a worker from Madrid.

In Asia, concerns focused on Trump’s trade policies. In Taiwan, thousands warned that US tariffs could lead to job losses. "This is why we hope the government can propose plans to protect the rights of labourers," said union leader Carlos Wang.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

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