May Day Protests Sweep U.S. with Thousands Calling for 'Workers Over Billionaires'
Thousands of protesters participated in May Day demonstrations across the U.S. on May 1, with organizers calling for a boycott of work, school, and shopping to protest Trump administration policies and what activists describe as a billionaire takeover of government. Schools in major cities like Charlotte closed due to expected staff absences.
May Day 2026 Demonstrations
Thousands of people have 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.
School Closures
In North Carolina's biggest city, Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education issued a statement saying it had voted to call off school on May 1 due to the number of staff absences expected that day.
Key Organizers and Demands
The National Education Association — the nation's largest labor union, with 3 million members — is a key organizer of Friday's protests. The movement's aim is "more investment in public schools, an end to corporate tax cuts, a restoration of our democracy, and the expansion of union rights".
Historic Context
Unlike the Labor Day celebrations in the U.S. each September, May 1 has traditionally been reserved as a day of protest. In the U.S., May Day goes back to the 19th century movement to establish an eight-hour workday at a time when it wasn't unusual for Americans to work shifts of 12 hours or more.