Nationwide Protests Challenge Trump's Policies on Workers' Rights and Immigration

Activists are planning another string of protests across the U.S. to demonstrate unrest over the Trump administration's immigration and labor policies on Thursday, May 1. This "National Day of Action" is scheduled to take place on International Workers’ Day, commonly referred to as May Day— events are expected continue into the weekend.

Organizers emphasized that May Day 2025 is more than a symbolic action— “This is about defending our jobs, our families, and our communities,” said one protestor in Chicago. “We’re standing up because we can’t afford to be silent.”

May Day Protests — What to Know

The group is hosting a mass zoom call on Wednesday, April 23 to further organize this massive pushback initiative. Regardless of the group's core value of non-violence, city authorities and local police will initiate a plan to monitor the event, as is standard with any protest.

A map on the organizers' website allows those wishing to participate to search for the closest event. A few of the scheduled protests include:

• Chicago, IL

  • Event: Mega March

  • Time: Morning (time not specified)

  • Location: From Union Park to Federal Plaza

• Los Angeles, CA

  • Event: May Day Rally

  • Time: Afternoon (time not specified)

  • Location: Downtown Los Angeles

• New York, NY

  • Event: Workers' Rights Demonstration

  • Time: Evening (time not specified)

  • Location: Times Square

• Houston, TX

  • Event: Immigration Policy Protest

  • Time: Midday (time not specified)

  • Location: City Hall

• Miami, FL

  • Event: Labor Rights March

  • Time: Morning (time not specified)

  • Location: Bayfront Park

• Iowa City, IA

  • Event: Gran Marcha “Aquí Estamos”

  • Time: Evening (time not specified)

  • Location: Iowa City (exact route not specified)

• New Orleans, LA

  • Event: Stop the Billionaire Takeover Rally

  • Time: Evening (time not specified)

  • Location: New Orleans (exact venue not specified)

• Honolulu, HI

  • Event: Silent March Against Union Attacks

  • Time: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

  • Location: Hawaii State Capitol

What’s Fueling the Unrest?

The planned protests respond to several recent policy moves by the Trump administration. Labor groups have criticized widespread federal layoffs, weakened workplace protections, and proposals to roll back minimum wage standards. Simultaneously, immigration advocates point to a sharp uptick in enforcement activity, including ICE raids and deportation proceedings, particularly targeting undocumented workers.

“Trump’s policies are hurting working families and immigrant communities alike,” said a spokesperson for one of the labor coalitions organizing the protests. “This May Day, we’re pushing back.”

A Historic Date with New Urgency

May 1 has long been associated with labor movements and social justice. Originally tied to spring festivals and later shaped by the Haymarket Affair in Chicago in 1886, May Day now stands as a potent reminder of ongoing struggles for dignity in the workplace and the right to live free from fear of deportation.

As tensions rise ahead of the demonstrations, many see this year’s May Day as a critical test of political momentum. Whether it sparks legislative change or simply galvanizes resistance, one thing is clear: May Day 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark moment in the national conversation around labor and immigration policy.