Latest news with #MayDayStrong
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
May Day protesters rally at Mississippi Capitol against President Trump policies
A group of protesters gathered on the south side of the Mississippi State Capitol Building on Thursday, May 1, to express their opposition to ongoing federal cuts and executive orders initiated by President Donald Trump. Billed as the "May Day Strong" rally, the event was organized by the Mississippi chapter of the 50501 movement, the name of which stands for "50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement." In some countries, May Day is a public holiday honoring labor. Protesters who rallied in Jackson say much of their message focuses on fighting back against Trump's policies affecting immigrants and federal workers. "Not for profit. Not for greed. People first, is what we need," protesters chanted. Just over 100 days into Trump's second term, protesters spoke of their concerns with Trump's agenda, governing style and expansion of executive authority. Around noon, approximately 40 people attended Thursday's protest, a smaller turnout compared to the last two events with more than 400 participants. Attendance size remained consistent with the initial rallies. By the end of the May 1 event, numbers grew to 140 people. Among the crowd was protester David Wood, a migrant-worker advocate. Wood criticized the current administration for "demonizing" migrant workers. Wood stated that migrant workers do not drive down wages, take jobs away from Americans, nor do they come to the country to commit crimes. "I am sickened by the way the extreme right and its media outlets, led by the current U.S. President, maligns and illegally imprisons immigrants undocumented and documented alike," Wood said. "Anyone paranoid about a globalizing and multiracial society needs to place their fears on someone else ... Immigrant workers are not criminals." Protester Erica Jones, executive director of the Mississippi Association of Educators, emphasized the importance of supporting "one of the state's most essential" fields of employment — public education. Jones is also a 20-year second-grade teacher. Protest at capitol receives push back: Have protests against President Trump, Elon Musk at the Mississippi Capitol gained momentum? Jones spoke about how Trump and current legislators have started the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. According to the White House, Trump ordered Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in March "to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely." Previous Clarion Ledger reporting noted that a White House official acknowledged the agency would keep administering "critical programs" and cannot be fully dissolved without congressional approval. But it will operate at a smaller scale with fewer employees. Jones stated she believes these changes will impact students and the teacher shortage in Mississippi. Jones said the state's education system cannot progress without adequate federal funding, adding "we must have those funds to operate." "Our public schools provide equal opportunities for all children, not the ones that are cherry-picked. All children," Jones said. "Public schools are great resources. They are equalizers. "Let's think about Madison County or Rankin County but then compare it to those communities and zip codes in the Mississippi Delta. Not all schools are created equal, and that's why it's so important that we continue to invest our public dollars in our public schools." Jackson police on violent crime: Police chief says drastic drop in homicides compared to last year 'signifies progress' Denise Pilgrim of Madison and Dianne Martin of Clinton, 74-year-old twin sisters, attended the protest, citing multiple reasons for their participation, with the need for a "formal government" being the most significant. Thursday's demonstration marked Pilgrim's first time participating in a political protest and only the second time for Martin. "I've been independent all my life, but I've probably voted Republican more than Democrat. So, I'm saying this from a purple standpoint," Pilgrim said. "In all my life I have never ever seen one man try to absorb so much authority in our country. Our country is a republic. It's a democracy. It needs to stay that way. It scares me to death that people are not in Congress are not standing up against him." The sisters said they both wanted members of Congress to work together for the benefit of the country. For Martin, she said she hopes "everything gets more centrist." "(Congress) used to talk across the aisle and they came up with legislation. And now they seem like they just follow the president, whoever it might be," Martin said. Pilgrim added to her sister's sentiments stating, "I want to see everybody work together. I want to quit all this hate, this division. And mostly, I want to see Congress stand up and do their job." Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at pdankins@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: May Day protest rally in Jackson MS against Donald Trump, DOGE
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Speakers urge class solidarity at May Day protest
GOSHEN — Speakers called for persistence and solidarity at the third antigovernment protest since the start of spring in Elkhart County. Close to 200 people joined the May Day Strong protest Thursday outside the Elkhart County Courthouse. They bore signs speaking out against cuts to Social Security and other government services, in support of worker solidarity and in defense of due process as people are taken off the streets in America and flown to foreign prisons. 'We're here today for what we're for, for as much as we're against. The things that we're for are the equal treatment of immigrants – our Hispanic, our Black, our indigenous neighbors. We're here for them,' said David Knight, one of the organizers. 'We're also here to protect our way of life. We're here for fair wages. We're here for universal healthcare. ... We're here to maintain a government by the people, of the people and for the people. We're here to stand against the attacks on the Constitution and our way of life.' Corinne Straight, an Elkhart activist, said there's growing anger at the feeling that working harder to obtain the so-called American dream only makes other people richer. She said most people dream of meeting basic needs, while anything more than that falls further out of reach every year. 'We do not dream of becoming tech billionaires. We do not dream of handing over multimillion-dollar companies to our children. We dream of going to the doctor. We dream of putting food on the table. We dream of our kids getting to have a career and an education without starting out their lives tens of thousands of dollars in debt. We dream of retiring,' she said. 'Our dreams are so basic. ... Like David said, we are the wealthiest nation in the world, and we do not provide basic necessities. We allow people to go into debt to eat, to get a cavity filled, to send their kids to child care.' Straight said upward mobility from one generation to the next has been falling since the baby boomer generation, nine out of 10 of whom could say they made more money than their parents. She said that number has dropped to 50 percent for millennials. She encouraged protesters to show the same class solidarity as the top 5 percent, who act with the common goal of enriching themselves off the labor of the other 95 percent while keeping them distracted with divisive social issues. 'This is not about hard work. This has never been about hard work. There is no one in this country that works harder than poor people. There is no one in this country that works harder than a single parent. There is no one in this country that works harder than an immigrant,' Straight said. 'This has never been about work ethic. This has always been about privilege and opportunity, and the billionaires understanding that our hard work is going to make them richer. ... They need us to keep working harder.' Elkhart City Councilman Dwight Fish also encouraged protesters to show solidarity with immigrants, who are seeking the same basic dream. 'What about those folks who come across here with the hope and dream of living in a town like Goshen and expressing their rights? They're not doing anything wrong. They want to come here and work,' he said. 'Why are we not making a pathway to citizenship? Why are we not doing that? Because the power-brokers love to manipulate and distract and take everything they can, and not give you a thing back.' Straight said the last legislative session in Indianapolis showed what state lawmakers really value. She said it isn't children, parents, public education or health care. 'They value tax cuts for businesses and vouchers so the top 3 percent of wealthiest Hoosiers can send their kids to school on our dime. In a tight budget year, they had an opportunity to actually do the right thing, and once again, they did not,' she said. 'And every single person here recognizes the power that they have in Indianapolis, and we are not going to let these people run unopposed in 2026, are we?' She said 40 uncontested seats in the state legislature went to Republicans in 2024, representing close to 3 million people. She urged the crowd to spread an alternative to the pro-Trump message those people have been hearing. 'This presence here today shows that we can be united, we can be inspired and we can be focused and hopeful. Because we are committed to doing the work that is going to reverse decades of economic decline for the bottom 95 percent of us,' Straight said. 'And we are committed to not burying our heads in the sand when it gets hard. We can't look away when it hurts. It's going to get worse before it gets better – we have to stay the course.'
Newsweek
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
List of Cities Hosting 50501 May Day Protests Over the Weekend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dozens of cities across the country are hosting "May Day" protests over the weekend to oppose President Donald Trump's administration and policies. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email. Why It Matters The group 50501, one of the organizers of these protests, has become one of the most influential groups organizing demonstrations against Trump since his return to the Oval Office in January. It has organized rallies in all corners of the country this year in every state, from deep blue California to ruby red West Virginia. Trump is facing growing dissatisfaction from many Americans as the 100-day mark of his second tenure in office passed this week. A Marist Poll released this week showed 53 percent of Americans disapprove of his job performance, while 42 percent gave him positive marks for the first few months of his term. It polled 1,439 adults from April 21 to 23 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. What To Know Demonstrations were held by 50501 and May Day Strong in every state this week for May 1, when "May Day" is celebrated. "May Day" is a holiday in which labor workers are celebrated, and protests calling for working class solidarity often go with the day. May Day Strong's website calls for protests to promote a "united, pro-immigrant, anti-racist working class politics in this country." Individuals looking to protest who missed the Thursday demonstrations will have more opportunities to do so over the weekend, when dozens of other protests are planned for most states. Demonstrators rally in Philadelphia on May 1 as part of a "May Day" rally. Demonstrators rally in Philadelphia on May 1 as part of a "May Day" rally. MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images List of Cities Hosting 50501 May Day Protests This Weekend Here's a look at one event happening in each state, though gatherers should know many states are hosting multiple protests in various cities. For a complete list of events, visit the 50501's website. Gustavus, Alaska: 2 p.m. on May 3 at the Gustavus dock Tempe, Arizona: 10 a.m. on May 3 at 2077 E University Dr. Little Rock, Arkansas: 2 p.m. on May 3 at 500 Woodlane St. Palo Alto, California: 1:30 p.m. on May 3 at 4180 El Camino Real Golden, Colorado: 12:30 p.m. on May 3 at the Genesee Overpass Westport, Connecticut: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 1 Parker Harding Plaza Newark, Delaware: 11 a.m. on May 3 at East Main St. & South College Ave. Clermont, Florida: 10 a.m. on May 4 at 16729 Cagan Oaks Atlanta: 2 p.m. on May 3 at 371 10th St. NE Salmon, Idaho: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 201 Main St. Joliet, Illinois: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 100 W Jefferson St. Kokomo, Indiana: 5 p.m. on May 3 at 104 N Buckeye St. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 2nd St. SE & 8th Ave. SE Owensboro, Kentucky: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 2911 W Parrish Ave. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 1:30 p.m. on May 4 at 900 N 3rd St. Machias, Maine: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 16 O'Brien Ave. Owings Mills, Maryland: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 9428 Reisterstown Rd. Worcester, Massachusetts: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 43 Belmont Street 290 Overpass Troy, Michigan: 1 p.m. on May 3 at 43 Belmont Street 290 Overpass Duluth, Minnesota: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 1242 88th Ave W. Helena, Montana: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 1301 E 6th Ave. Reno, Nevada: 10:30 a.m. on May 3 Plaistow, New Hampshire: 1 p.m. on May 3 at 145 Main St. Jersey City, New Jersey: 10 a.m. on May 3 at Grove Street Plaza Alamogordo, New Mexico: 10 a.m. on May 3 at 1001 N White Sands Blvd. Mamaroneck, New York: 4 p.m. on May 3 at 60-98 Harbor Island Park Charlotte, North Carolina: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 4938 Central Ave. Bismark, North Dakota: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 600 E Boulevard Ave. Cleveland: 11 a.m. on May 3 at East 9th Street & Lakeside Avenue East Oklahoma City: 1 p.m. on May 4 at 300 SW 7th St. Portland, Oregon: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 1403 S Harbor Way Pittsburgh: 12:30 p.m. on May 3 at 414 Grant St. Providence, Rhode Island: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 82 Smith St. West Columbia, South Carolina: 12 p.m. on May 3 at 2999 Sunset Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee: 12 p.m. on May 3 at Union St. & 3rd Ave. North Allen, Texas: 11 a.m. on May 3 at 970 Garden Park Dr. Provo, Utah: 1 p.m. on May 3 at 445 W Center St. South Burlington, Vermont: 11:30 a.m. on May 3 at 1001 Shelburne Rd. Fredericksburg, Virginia: 10 a.m. on May 3 at 1516 William St. Washington, D.C.: 2 p.m. on May 3 at 1700 G St. NW Seattle: 1:30 p.m. on May 3 at 305 Harrison St. Charleston, West Virginia: 11 a.m. on May 3 La Crosse, Wisconsin: 12 p.m. on May 3 at State Rd. and Losey Blvd. What People Are Saying 50501 posted on its Instagram account: "May Day has always belonged to the people. It was born out of the struggle for an eight-hour workday—and today, we continue that legacy by fighting for dignity, justice, and freedom for ALL." Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social this week: "The Radical Left Democrats are paying a fortune to have people infiltrate the Town Halls of Republican Congressmen/women and Senators. "These Great Patriot Politicians should not treat them nicely. Have them immediately ejected from the room—They are disruptors and troublemakers. You must allow your audience to know what you are up against, or else they will think they are Republicans, and that there is dissension in the Party." What Happens Next? Protests against the Trump administration are likely to continue over the coming years as Democrats continue opposing his administration. Organizers with 50501 have said they plan to keep up momentum through the summer.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump, Elon Musk National Day of Action protests in Florida: When and where are rallies today?
Before, it was "Hands off!" Now, it's May Day. Less than a month after "Hands off!" protests nationwide against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, including 45 in Trump's home state of Florida, protesters are organizing "May Day 2025: National Day of Action" rallies against the pair. There are about 54 rallies in Florida from Thursday, May 1, to Sunday, May 4. Schedule of protests: Florida has 54 Trump, Elon Musk May Day 2025 rallies. A list, city by city Last month, USA TODAY reported there were more than 1,300 protests across the country against Trump and Musk on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Over 40 of those were planned for Florida, including some down the road from Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago. Many of these mass mobilization rallies have "May Day" plus the name of the city and state and "fight back!" in their titles. They are happening on the weekend that Trump returns to his home, Mar-a-Lago, also known as the Winter White House or Southern White House because of the amount of time spent here during his first and second term. The "Hands off!" Trump-Musk rallies happened just after April 2, 2025, what Trump called 'Liberation Day,' when he imposed sweeping tariffs affecting all U.S. trading partners and imports. Here's why people are gathering for the "anti Donald Trump-Elon Musk" rallies, a list of when and where they are in Florida, and what we know about the protests here. "May Day: National Day of Action 2025" is the title, filter and group behind the "mass mobilization" nationwide rallies and protests aimed at Trump and Musk, SpaceX and Tesla CEO who is leading the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE for short. Most of the May Day rallies − which take place from Thursday to Sunday, May 1 to May 4, 2025 − have this message online: "For May Day 2025, workers, parents, seniors, community members, students, and working families are coming together to raise their voices for better, safer, and stronger communities across the country. Topics and signs will likely include: Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, jobs, abortion, fair elections, personal data, public lands, veteran services, cancer research, NATO, consumer protections, clean air, clean energy, schools, libraries, free speech, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants and courts, the rally site states. The theme of the "May Day," nonviolent, peaceful protest rallies are, "May Day 2025 we are standing united to fight the billionaire-backed fascist take over our country." Note: Times are noted in Eastern Standard or Central Time. Brandon, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 2 to 4 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, at 6002 Providence Road, Brandon. Boca Raton, Florida: "May Day Strong: Indivisible Boca Raton fights back!" rally will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Boca Raton City Hall, 201 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. Clermont, Florida: "May Day Strong: Stop the Billionaire Takeover!" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Tesla, 16775 SR 50, Clermont. (en Espanol) Davenport, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET Sabado, 3 de mayo, direccion de este evento es privada. Inscribase para obtener mas informacion, Daytona Beach, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Daytona Beach City Hall, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave. DeLand, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at New York Avenue West and South Woodland Boulevard in DeLand. Fort Myers, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers. Hollywood, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Hollywood Young Circle, 1733 E. Young Circle, Hollywood. Key Largo, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 11 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at a private address. Click here to register. Kissimmee, Florida: "May Day Strong: Stop the Broligarchy!" rally will be from noon to 2 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Tesla Kissimmee, 2935 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee. Lakeland, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at a private address. Click here to register. Leesburg, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Lake Sumter State College, 9501 U.S. 441, Leesburg. Mount Dora, Florida: "May Day Strong: Mount Dora, Florida" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Donnelly and U.S. 441, 18831 U.S. 441, Mount Dora. New Port Richey, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Citizens Drive and Little Road in New Port Richey. Ocala, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Ocala Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala. Orlando, Florida: "May Day Strong: Immigrants have rights!" rally will be from 3 to 5 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. Palm Beach Gardens, Florida: "Speaking Up for America/Indivisible: May Day Strong: We are the Many" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at North County Courthouse, 3188 PGA Blvd., at PGA Boulevard ad Campus Drive in Palm Beach Gardens. Spring Hill, Florida: "May Day Strong: We the People Workers United" rally will be from 10 a.m. to noon ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at a private address. Click here to register. Tallahassee, Florida: "Tallahassee May Day Strong" rally will be from noon to 2 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at a private address. Click here to register. Tampa, Florida: "May Day Protest: Worker's Rights are Human Rights!" rally will be from 4 to 6 p.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Centennial Park, 1800 E. 8th Ave., Tampa. Winter Haven, Florida: "May Day Strong: We are the Many of Winter Haven" rally will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET Saturday, May 3, 2025, at a private address. Click here to register. Note: Times are noted in Eastern Standard or Central Time. Clermont, Florida: "May Day Strong: Four Corners Clermont, Florida" rally will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Caga Crossing Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Where are Elon Musk, Trump protests in Florida Saturday, May 3, 2025?
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Penn State students march in streets on May Day as protests take place nationwide
Penn State students marched through the streets of downtown State College on Thursday evening during a May Day protest. About 30 students began marching down College Avenue after a rally at the Allen Street gates. They marched for about 20 minutes on Fraser Street and onto Beaver Avenue, blocking traffic, before ending back at the Allen Street gates. Passing cars honked as traffic was briefly held up, but the march was held without incident. At least one State College police car was present. The protest was organized by several student groups including the Student Committee for Defense and Solidarity and People's Defense Front - Northern Appalachia, according to a social media post about the event. May Day — which is celebrated annually on May 1 as International Labor Day — took on new meaning this year for anti-Trump protesters. More than 1,000 events nationwide were organized by May Day Strong, a coalition of local groups and national organizations such as MoveOn, Women's March and the 50501 movement. 'This May Day we are fighting back,' May Day Strong's website reads. 'We are demanding a country that puts our families over their fortunes — public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, prosperity over free market politics.' The Penn State groups do not appear to be affiliated with May Day Strong, but shared a similar message about workers, while also chanting about Palestine. Signs included those reading 'F--- Trump,' 'Peoples Revolution' and 'Free Palestine.' Marchers chanted things such as, 'What do have? Nothing. What do we want? Everything,' 'Whose streets? Our streets,' and 'Workers of the world, unite.' The group was smaller than one that marched through downtown State College on April 15 in support of international students amid students having their legal status revoked, a move the Trump administration recently reversed course on. The march was organized by the same student groups. May Day demonstrations are planned across the country through the weekend, including another in State College on Saturday. Sponsored by Seven Mountains AFL-CIO and others, the rally will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Sidney Friedman Park. 'Working people are under attack,' the event page reads. 'Whether you're a nurse, a bricklayer, a city employee, or a teacher, billionaires are paying to rig the system to crush working families.'
