Demonstrators across the United States mobilized on Thursday in coordinated May Day rallies aimed at denouncing the policies of former President Donald Trump and his administration’s efforts to expand the scope of presidential authority. The protests, driven by a broad coalition of left-leaning activist groups, were staged in more than 1,000 locations nationwide.
Major demonstrations were prominently organized in metropolitan hubs such as Chicago, New York City, and Seattle, while numerous smaller towns also saw participation. Anti-Trump sentiment was further echoed internationally, with May Day marches in countries including France and the Philippines displaying solidarity with American protestors.
- Advertisement -
In Washington, D.C., protestors occupied the National Mall from the early morning hours, erecting large tents and calling for Trump’s impeachment during a daylong series of marches and events. Despite this fervent activity, critics have pointed to a notable lack of substantive action from Democratic lawmakers, as well as insufficient mass mobilization by the broader opposition movement.
“Elected Democrats are falling down on the job, and they’re not doing what’s necessary to be done,” remarked Peter, a retired demonstrator who chose not to disclose his full name, in an interview with AFP.
May Day—recognized globally as International Workers’ Day—holds a rich tradition of labor activism. However, in the United States, it is not designated a public holiday, with Labor Day instead observed in September.
The primary organizer behind Thursday’s protests was the group 50501, whose name symbolizes “50 protests in 50 states and one movement.” The organization has previously played a leading role in orchestrating large-scale demonstrations.
One of the day’s key events took place in Philadelphia, where the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the nation’s largest union federation, hosted a high-profile rally. The event featured U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders—a prominent progressive voice—who has been actively touring the country to galvanize public opposition to policies associated with economic inequality.
Titled “For the Workers, Not the Billionaires,” the Philadelphia rally underscored critiques of Trump administration figures with immense personal wealth. Among those named was tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who was appointed to lead the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,” a cost-cutting initiative that drew sharp criticism from labor advocates.
