03-05-2025
May Day Alaska: Rallies support workers and protest Trump, threats to democracy
A crowd of an estimated 400 people gathered for a May Day protest in Juneau at the Alaska State Capitol on May 1, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Alaskans rallied in communities statewide for May Day, in support of workers and protesting the Trump administration's policies as anti-democratic, and condemning federal firings and threatened cuts to vital programs and social services.
May Day is recognized by many countries and organizations as International Workers Day, and hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. and the world took to the streets to protest, with many condemning the Trump administration, the administration's aggressive rhetoric toward other countries, fears of global economic turmoil, and hostility toward immigrants' rights.
In Alaska, protests took place in at least 21 communities according to reports on social media, on Thursday and others planned through the weekend, from the Arctic region to Southeast Alaska.
Organizers in several communities spoke with the Alaska Beacon after rallies wrapped up on Thursday, and expressed hope in the unified protest effort and great concern for the impacts of firing federal workers and threatened cuts to essential services, like health care.
In Petersburg, an estimated 75 people rallied downtown around noon, according to Chelsea Tremblay, one of the organizers with the community group, Petersburg Friends and Neighbors. She said speakers focused on the importance of workers rights, and demonstrators called on Alaska's congressional delegation to do more, 'to stand up for our communities and to keep the separation of powers strong,' she said. 'By fighting for the funds that have been allocated to come to our communities, and to stop the loss of jobs.'
Tremblay said Petersburg has been impacted by the federal firings and budget cuts to the U.S. Forest Service in the Tongass National Forest, Head Start, and the end of federal telework options, as well as particular concern around further cuts to the National Weather Service. 'That's a safety issue, right? Or potential funds being withheld from public broadcasting that have already been dedicated, but that's how people stay connected with the community when they're out on the boats,' she said.
She said the group also raised funds for local homelessness services. 'We're stronger together,' she added. 'So it feels good to be in solidarity with so many other communities.'
In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, an estimated 200 people gathered for a rally in Wasilla, said organizer Dave Musgrave, with the activist group Mat-Su United for Progress. 'This was really to lift up unions, and show that we are standing with working families,' he said.
There were speeches, a hot dog roast and a live band that played union songs. 'And then people stood along Parks Highway with their signs protesting various things from the (Trump) administration. I'd say the overwhelming concern was the threat to democracy, and our Constitution.'
Musgrave said Mat-Su residents are deeply concerned about federal cuts, particularly any proposed cuts to health care through Medicaid, as about one-third of all Alaska residents rely on the program.
'That includes pregnant women, that includes single adults, it includes kids,' through the related Denali KidCare program, he said. 'And the fallout is going to be for all Alaskans, because it's not just those on Medicaid. This will cripple our health care system, including hospitals, medical clinics – our whole medical infrastructure is under threat right now.'
On the Kenai Peninsula in Soldotna, organizer Michele Vasquez with the activist group Many Voices said residents are also extremely concerned about job cuts and threats to health care, including for those whose jobs don't provide them with insurance.
'The folks in between. They work. They work one, two, three jobs, but they're still working, and they're still on Medicaid,' she said. 'So the impacts to Alaska overall could be very, very devastating.' She said the region is feeling the impacts of job losses, and threatened cuts to services like libraries and public radio sow more uncertainty. 'There have been a lot of devastating losses of jobs, and any loss of jobs in Alaska is detrimental.'
The May Day rally drew an estimated 140 people in Soldotna Creek Park, she said, 'in support of workers, union and nonunion.' She said speakers highlighted the importance of supporting disability rights, reproductive health care, and uniting together to push back against the Trump administration. The crowd also raised funds and gathered donations for the local food bank.
Vasquez said some Republicans and Trump voters have joined their protest events over the last month. 'Surprisingly,' she said, 'It was just shocking to me that they were willing to admit it. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I think it depends on who they are, what their status is,' she said.
'Mainly, I've talked to seniors who are of all political stripes, who are terrified of losing Medicare, of losing their Social Security or their veterans benefits. My husband and I fall into that category, so I can clearly understand why everyone would be fearful,' she said, adding her husband is a retired veteran and disabled.
'All across political spectrums, we're all a little scared,' Vasquez said. 'Because they're worried, you know? We're worried about what happens to our house if we can't make the mortgage payments? What if we can't buy food? It's just, it's kind of a commonality.'
In Talkeetna, organizer Sandra Loomis said a group of 54 people rallied for May Day, and to protest the Trump agenda. 'We marched down Main Street and got a nice picture right there on the river, where you can see Denali behind and did a nice chant, '8647,'' she said, referring to the anti-Trump chant to '86,' or reject, the 47th president.
'People are fed up and just tired of this, all this open corruption from the White House,' Loomis said. 'And taking away all our services, taking away our libraries, taking away research, taking away our rights, taking away economic equity. People are fed up and tired of it. It's way, way, way beyond the pale, and too far, and the blatant disregard of the Constitution and the Supreme Court orders.'
Loomis said Talkeetna residents are also concerned around the federal firings, cuts to programs like Medicaid and the recent cut to Americorps. She expressed outrage and frustration at the Trump administration threatening the press, law firms and universities. Of special concern was Trump's recent refusal to acknowledge that an image of alleged gang tattoos on a man deported to El Salvador was Photoshopped, 'blatantly lying to everyone, right to our faces and like, we know they're lying!'
She said the actions go against the core values and principles that the country was founded on. 'My family, multiple generations of my family, have fought for the freedoms that we've enjoyed,' she said. 'One of the things that has made America such an amazing place to live — it's because we have diversity. It's because we accept all religions and respect each other.'
In Juneau, roughly 400 people gathered in front of the Alaska State Capitol, despite the rain, for speeches, calls to protect workers, unions and essential social services, and a performance by the Dance Group. 'Get up! Get down. Juneau is a union town!' the crowd chanted, before marching to Marine Park by the cruise ship dock. They also collected donations for the Southeast Alaska Food Bank.
Organizers said residents are continuing to make regular calls and emails to the state's congressional delegation, particularly U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who they said has been responsive to their concerns.
Different groups nationally have said the next national day of action is a People's Parade planned for June 14, Flag Day.
Juneau residents rally at the Alaska State Capitol for May Day on May 1, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Skip Gray)
Residents rally for May Day in Nome on May 1, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Hannah Anderson)
A crowd of an estimated 400 people gathered for a May Day protest in Juneau at the Alaska State Capitol on May 1, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
A protester holds a sign at the Juneau May Day rally on May 1, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
A protester holds a sign to support fired federal workers at a May Day protest in Juneau on May 1, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
A truck carries the U.S. and Canadian flags in a show of solidarity during a May Day protest in Soldotna on May 1, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Michele Vasquez)
Protesters wave signs at a May Day rally in Wasilla on May 1, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Connie Harris with Mat-Su United for Progress)
Protesters rally for May Day in Wasilla on May 1, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Connie Harris with Mat-Su United for Progress)
Protesters hold a rally on the Park Strip in Anchorage on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Protesters hold signs at a May Day rally in Juneau on May 1, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
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