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Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labor groups rally in Fort Worth to push back on attacks by Trump administration
Around 300 people gathered outside the old Fort Worth City Hall on Thursday to mark the international May Day holiday and voice opposition to the Trump administration. The rally was one of 1,000 events across the United States organized by the group May Day Strong. The organizers said the events were meant to stand up to what they called the administration's attacks on unions, federal workers, immigrants and trans and genderqueer people, according to an online event page. Organizers of the Fort Worth event said their rally was meant to highlight the importance of organized labor while creating solidarity among a number of groups that feel threatened by Trump administration policies. This year's event needed to be about more than just a celebration, said Xavi Velasquez, an event organizer with the Dallas chapter of the National Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression. 'It had to do more about sticking up for ourselves,' Velasquez said. Thursday's rally came four days after Tarrant County labor leaders Angi DeFelippo and Rick Majumdar were arrested in Dallas after allegedly blocking a highway. Both have since been released and are fighting the charges in court. Majumdar, a member of the Teamsters Union and a research assistant at the University of Texas at Arlington, told the crowd that his arrest won't stop his activism. 'They're not going to stop me. They're not going to stop this movement, because we will not be spat in our faces and take it any longer,' he said as the crowd cheered him on. The rally also served as an educational opportunity as Tarrant County Labor Council vice president Tevita Uhatafe spoke to the crowd about the origins of the May Day holiday. May 1, also known as International Workers Day, commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago, when police attacked striking workers fighting for an 8-hour work day. The day is celebrated on May 1 in 160 countries, but not the United States, Uhatafe said. 'It's a holiday that was invented here, and they don't teach that in school,' he said. Uhatafe praised the crowd for gathering, saying it takes guts to stand up and speak out in Tarrant County. He referenced fears of surveillance from law enforcement, and deaths in the Tarrant County Jail having a chilling effect on people's willingness to protest. 'What's amazing about all the people coming here this afternoon is amidst all that, they're still saying they want to be part of the solution,' he said. Several speakers talked about moves by the Trump administration to fire federal workers, including unionized members of the Transportation Safety Administration. Julie Hedrick, national president at the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, expressed fears the administration would go after other groups of organized labor. 'Today, we are here to remember our power, and to remind Fort Worth, Dallas and this country that when we fight, we win,' she said.
Boston Globe
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump policies draw anger at May Day protests across the US
'I think the two coexist,' Olsen said, 'and this huge turnout shows that.' A separate effort, which organizers billed as a National Law Day of Action, brought legal professionals to the Supreme Court in Washington and federal courthouses across the country on Thursday to push for judicial independence and oppose efforts to intimidate law firms. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The lawyers demonstrating at the Supreme Court reaffirmed their oaths to serve with integrity and to protect the rule of law — principles that do not appear to interest Trump, said Fabiola Gretzinger, 28. 'He thinks he's above it,' she said. Advertisement Police closed streets for the crowds in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington. But protesters also rallied in small communities that voted overwhelmingly for Trump, including places like Norman, Okla.; Sauk City, Wisc.; and Hendersonville, N.C. Groups held signs in front of municipal buildings and public schools, and some demonstrators wore red to indicate support for public education. Advertisement A rally in downtown Los Angeles began early Thursday and focused largely on migrant rights. Jose Servín, 31, an organizer for a statewide coalition of advocacy groups who helped set up for the rally, held a sign that read, 'Come for one of us, come for all of us.' Servin immigrated to the United States as a child, he said. 'I found a place here where I can succeed, where I can thrive, where I can plant roots — I'm a father now — and I'm going to fight like hell to protect that,' he said. The protests — more than 1,000 were expected across the country — were spearheaded to coincide with traditional May Day labor rallies by 50501, a loose coalition of grassroots activist groups, as well as by labor, nonprofit, and civil rights organizations. May Day commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour workday, won by labor organizers in 1886 only after clashes in Chicago resulted in the deadly Haymarket Riot. Labor groups made up a significant portion of demonstrators at the rally in Chicago on Thursday, though pro-Palestinian activists and anti-Trump demonstrators swelled their ranks, and many saw their concerns as overlapping. 'He's tearing apart our Constitution,' said Bill Hincks, 40, a union official from the Chicago suburb of Oak Forest, who faulted Trump for firing officials at agencies that regulate workplace safety, including at the National Labor Relations Board. The Trump administration has sought to quell dissent in corporate America, universities, government agencies, and the news media. But in recent weeks, demonstrations opposing the president's agenda, as well as resistance from some of the institutions targeted by Trump, have increased in size and frequency. Advertisement Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat who first ran for office in 2018 because of his revulsion to Trump's first term, called for an even larger outcry during a speech on Sunday in New Hampshire. 'It's time to fight everywhere, and all at once,' he said. This article originally appeared in
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Policies Draw Outrage at May Day Protests Across the U.S.
Annual May Day rallies in cities across the country swelled with thousands of anti-Trump demonstrators on Thursday, as outcry continued to grow over the president's agenda and expansion of executive power. Protesters denounced the administration's effort to roll back workers' rights — a particular sore spot on a day dedicated to celebrating organized labor — as well as plans to cut education funding and carry out mass deportations. 'We're here to support our workers and our union,' said Jena Olsen, 63, who has been a flight attendant for 39 years, at a large rally in Chicago's Union Park. But demonstrators said they were also angry about the 'threat to democracy' posed by President Trump. 'I think the two coexist,' Ms. Olsen said, 'and this huge turnout shows that.' A separate effort, which organizers billed as a National Law Day of Action, brought legal professionals to the Supreme Court in Washington and federal courthouses across the country on Thursday to push for judicial independence and oppose efforts to intimidate law firms. The lawyers demonstrating at the Supreme Court reaffirmed their oaths to serve with integrity and to protect the rule of law — principles that do not appear to interest Mr. Trump, said Fabiola Gretzinger, 28. 'He thinks he's above it,' she said. Police closed streets for the crowds in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington. But protesters also rallied in small communities that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, including places like Norman, Okla., Sauk City, Wis., and Hendersonville, N.C. Groups held signs in front of municipal buildings and public schools, and some demonstrators wore red to indicate support for public education. A rally in downtown Los Angeles began early on Thursday and focused largely on migrant rights. Jose Servín, 31, an organizer for a statewide coalition of advocacy groups who helped set up for the rally, held a sign that read, 'Come for one of us, come for all of us.' Mr. Servin immigrated to the United States as a child, he said. 'I found a place here where I can succeed, where I can thrive, where I can plant roots — I'm a father now — and I'm going to fight like hell to protect that,' he said. The protests — more than 1,000 were expected across the country — were spearheaded to coincide with traditional May Day labor rallies by 50501, a loose coalition of grass-roots activist groups, as well as by labor, nonprofit and civil rights organizations. May Day commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour workday, won by labor organizers in 1886 only after clashes in Chicago resulted in the deadly Haymarket Riot. Labor groups made up a significant portion of demonstrators at the rally in Chicago on Thursday, though pro-Palestinian activists and anti-Trump demonstrators swelled their ranks, and many saw their concerns as overlapping. 'He's tearing apart our Constitution,' said Bill Hincks, 40, a union official from the Chicago suburb of Oak Forest, who faulted Mr. Trump for firing officials at agencies that regulate workplace safety, including at the National Labor Relations Board. The Trump administration has sought to quell dissent in corporate America, universities, government agencies and the news media. But in recent weeks, demonstrations opposing the president's agenda, as well as resistance from some of the institutions targeted by Mr. Trump, have increased in size and frequency. Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat who first ran for office in 2018 because of his revulsion to Mr. Trump's first term, called for an even larger outcry during a speech on Sunday in New Hampshire. 'It's time to fight everywhere, and all at once,' he said.
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First Post
01-05-2025
- General
- First Post
History Today: Why Labour Day is celebrated on May 1
On May 1, 1889, May Day was celebrated for the first time as a labour holiday. Since then, Labour Day has grown into a global event, with millions joining marches, rallies, and other activities to honour workers and demand their rights. Also, on this day in 1931, US President Herbert Hoover officially dedicated the Empire State Building in New York City. Standing at 1,250 feet with 102 floors, it was the tallest skyscraper in the world at the time read more A march in New York City on May Day, May 1, 1909. Image: Library of Congress On May 1, 1889, May Day, which had earlier been an event to welcome spring, was celebrated for the first time as a labour holiday. This change was made by the International Socialist Congress. In the United States and Canada, a similar day is held on the first Monday of September and is called Labour Day. Also, on this day in 1931, the Empire State Building was officially opened in New York City. It remained the tallest building in the world for the next forty years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, in 1840, the first adhesive postage stamp in the world, the Penny Black, was used in a public postal system. It showed a side view of Queen Victoria. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. Let's take a look at these events in detail: May Day is founded May Day honours the historic efforts and progress made by workers and the labour movement. It is observed in many countries on May 1. On this day in 1889, an international group of socialist organisations and trade unions chose May 1 as a day to support workers. This was in memory of the Haymarket Riot in Chicago (1886), where a bomb blast killed seven police officers and at least four civilians. Five years later, US President Grover Cleveland, concerned about the socialist link to Workers' Day, passed a law to make Labor Day an official holiday in the United States. However, some states were already observing it on the first Monday of September. Demonstrators hold signs during a rally celebrating May Day in New York, US. Reuters/File Photo Since then, Labour Day has become a worldwide event. Millions join marches, rallies and other activities to recognise workers' roles and call for their rights. In many countries, Labour Day is a national holiday. In India, the first Labour Day event was held in Chennai (then called Madras) in 1923 by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Two gatherings took place, one at Triplicane Beach and the other near the Madras High Court. At these meetings, a resolution was passed asking the British government to declare May 1 a Labour Day and a public holiday. Empire State Building is officially opened On May 1, 1931, US President Herbert Hoover officially dedicated the Empire State Building in New York City. The building was completed in just over a year. It came in under budget at $40 million and was finished well ahead of schedule. At certain times during construction, the frame rose at a rate of four-and-a-half storeys each week. John J Raskob and Al Smith were the key figures behind the project. The project gave work to up to 3,400 people a day. Image: X/Library of Congress When it was completed, the Empire State Building had 102 storeys and stood at 1,250 feet tall (1,454 feet including the lightning rod). It was the tallest skyscraper in the world at the time. During the Great Depression, the project gave work to up to 3,400 people a day. Most of them earned good wages, especially considering the hard economic times. The Empire State Building has also been praised for its efforts in energy conservation. In 2020, it finished a renovation that cut energy use, lowered emissions by around 40 per cent, and improved efficiency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 1972, the World Trade Center in New York became the new tallest building, though it only held the title for a short time. Today, that honour goes to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which reaches 2,716 feet. World's first postage stamp was issued The Penny Black was the first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in the United Kingdom on May 1, 1840, but could not be used until May 6. Before this, in 1837, postal charges in Britain were high, confusing, and often unfair. To make things easier, Sir Rowland Hill suggested using a stamp to show that postage had been paid in advance. At the time, it was common for the person receiving a letter to pay for it. The cost was based on how many sheets were sent and how far the letter had to travel. Hill chose a simple design that featured the profile of Queen Victoria. Image: Smithsonian National Postal Museum With the Penny Black, people could send letters weighing up to 14g for a fixed cost of one penny, no matter how far they were going. Hill chose a simple design that featured the profile of Queen Victoria. He picked black ink for the stamp, which led to its name, the Penny Black. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Because they were the first stamps ever made, the Penny Black and the Twopenny Blue did not show the name of the country. Even today, British stamps do not include the country name. Like the first stamps, they always feature a picture of the current monarch. This Day, That Year 1851: The Great Exhibition began in London inside the Crystal Palace, which was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. 1941: 'Citizen Kane', directed by Orson Welles and widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, had its premiere in New York City. 1960: The Indian state of Maharashtra was formed based on cultural and language differences. 1961: Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for her well-known novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. 1961: The first major hijacking of a plane in the United States took place when a man forced a flight from Miami to Key West to change course and fly to Cuba. 1963: Jim Whittaker, alongside Sherpa climber Nawang Gombu, became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 2004: The European Union welcomed 10 new member countries - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
