Thousands Participate in Nationwide May Day Protests Against Trump Administration
Massive May Day demonstrations took place across the United States and worldwide on May 1, with labor unions and activists organizing boycotts of work, school, and shopping to protest Trump administration policies and what they describe as billionaire control of government.
Scale of Protests
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. Nearly 500 organizations are planning more than 750 events, including roughly 200 virtual events, that will take place in New York, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and other metropolitan cities.
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.
Teacher and Union Participation
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."
Global Demonstrations
May Day demonstrations across the world on Friday denounced the US-Israeli war against Iran, which has caused a global energy crisis that is disproportionately harming working-class people.