Massive May Day Protests Sweep US and World Against Trump Policies and Economic Inequality
Thousands of workers and activists worldwide held May Day demonstrations calling for peace, higher wages, and better working conditions, with major US protests organized against Trump's policies and billionaire influence in government.
Global Movement for Workers' Rights
Activists worldwide gathered for May Day rallies and street protests Friday, calling for peace, higher wages and better working conditions as many workers grapple with rising energy costs and shrinking purchasing power tied to the Iran war. Demonstrations were being held from Seoul, Sydney and Jakarta to many European capitals and cities across the United States.
US Protests Focus on Trump Administration
Thousands of people turned out for May Day demonstrations across the country on Friday, with organizers calling for a boycott of work, school and shopping to protest the Trump administration's policies — and what activists describe as a billionaire takeover of government. More than 4,000 "May Day Strong" events were planned across the United States.
Key Demands
A loose coalition of protest groups is calling for shifting the nation's tax burden from the working class to the wealthy, eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending war and limiting corporate influence in elections.
Labor Union Leadership
The National Education Association — the nation's largest labor union, with 3 million members — is a key organizer of Friday's protests. NEA President Becky Pringle told NPR that the message this year is that the country should be "focusing on workers over billionaires."
International Participation
The European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organizations in 41 European countries, released a statement declaring that "working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump's war in the Middle East."