Thousands Rally Across US for May Day as Organizers Decry 'Tyranny of Billionaires'

Key facts

• 3,000 protests and events are scheduled across the United States for May Day.
• The largest Los Angeles rally is planned at MacArthur Park.
• Over 120 organizations and unions endorse the Los Angeles march.
• Pedro Trujillo coordinates the Los Angeles May Day Coalition.
• Stacy Davis Gates is president of the Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
• Last July, immigration agents in SWAT gear and armored vehicles descended on MacArthur Park.
• Organizers call for 'no school, no work, no shopping'.
• Global May Day rallies also took place in the Philippines and Argentina.

A Resurgent Workers' Movement

More than 3,000 protests and events are unfolding across the United States today as the May Day Strong coalition mobilizes for International Workers' Day, calling for a general strike with the slogan 'no school, no work, no shopping.' The coordinated action marks one of the largest displays of labor and immigrant solidarity in recent years, with major rallies planned in Los Angeles and Chicago. Organizers say the scale of participation reflects a deepening frustration with economic inequality and political repression. 'We are creating a coalition to resist the tyranny of billionaires in this moment,' said Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers. 'Billionaires put a president in place to dismantle democracy, a right-wing Congress to watch it and a right-wing Supreme Court to block us from doing anything about it.'

Los Angeles: MacArthur Park as a Flashpoint

The largest May Day protest in Los Angeles is set to converge on MacArthur Park, a site that has become a symbol of immigrant resistance. Last July, immigration agents in SWAT gear and armored vehicles raided the park, an operation that Pedro Trujillo, coordinator of the Los Angeles May Day Coalition, says galvanized the community. 'That's why we see such a strong coalition coming together,' Trujillo said. 'Over 120 organizations and unions here in Los Angeles endorsing this march. We haven't seen this level of support, of engagement, in a very long time.' Trujillo, who also serves as organizing director at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, emphasized that the July raid laid the groundwork for today's high turnout. The coalition's broad base includes immigrant rights groups, labor unions, and community organizations, reflecting a unified front against what they describe as escalating state repression.

Chicago Teachers Union Joins the Fight

In Chicago, Stacy Davis Gates is leading the charge, linking the May Day protests to a broader struggle against corporate power and right-wing judicial overreach. Her remarks underscore a growing sentiment among labor leaders that the political system has been captured by the ultra-wealthy. 'We are creating a coalition to resist the tyranny of billionaires,' she reiterated, pointing to the presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court as institutions that have been co-opted. The Chicago Teachers Union, one of the most active labor organizations in the country, has thrown its full weight behind the May Day actions, aligning with the national call for a work and consumer boycott. The union's involvement signals a convergence of labor and immigrant rights movements that organizers say has not been seen in years.

Global Solidarity: From Manila to Buenos Aires

The U.S. protests are part of a global wave of May Day demonstrations. In the Philippines, thousands of activists rallied in Manila demanding higher wages and an end to U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. In Argentina, workers took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Thursday to condemn the economic and labor policies of far-right President Javier Milei. These international actions provide context for the U.S. protests, highlighting a worldwide resurgence of labor activism amid rising inequality and political polarization. Organizers in the U.S. have drawn direct links between domestic and global struggles, framing their demands as part of a larger fight against authoritarianism and corporate dominance.

The Stakes: A Test of Organizing Power

The success of today's protests will be measured not only by turnout but by their ability to translate momentum into lasting political change. The May Day Strong coalition has set ambitious goals, aiming to disrupt normal economic activity and send a clear message to policymakers. 'We haven't seen this level of support in a very long time,' Trujillo said, suggesting that the movement is at a critical juncture. However, the coalition faces significant challenges, including potential counter-protests and a political climate that has grown increasingly hostile to organized labor. The presence of immigration agents in SWAT gear at last year's MacArthur Park raid serves as a reminder of the risks protesters face. Yet organizers remain undeterred, betting that the scale of today's actions will force a reckoning.

What Comes Next: Sustaining the Momentum

With the May Day protests underway, organizers are already looking ahead to the next phase of their campaign. The coalition's ability to maintain unity among its diverse members—from immigrant rights groups to teachers' unions—will be crucial. 'We are creating a coalition to resist the tyranny of billionaires,' Gates said, a phrase that could become a rallying cry for future actions. Observers will be watching for any policy shifts or concessions from federal and local governments in response to the protests. The May Day Strong coalition has signaled that today is just the beginning, with plans for continued mobilization throughout the year. Whether the movement can sustain its energy and achieve concrete gains remains an open question.

The bottom line

• 3,000 May Day protests are occurring across the U.S., with major rallies in Los Angeles and Chicago.
• The Los Angeles march at MacArthur Park is backed by over 120 organizations, spurred by a July 2023 ICE raid.
• Stacy Davis Gates of the Chicago Teachers Union framed the protests as resistance against billionaire influence in government.
• Global May Day actions in the Philippines and Argentina highlight a broader labor resurgence.
• Organizers aim to disrupt economic activity and build a lasting coalition for workers' and immigrants' rights.
• The movement's long-term impact depends on sustaining unity and translating protest into policy change.