On May Day, thousands of protesters took to the streets across the United States to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, healthcare, and workers’ rights. From Washington, D.C., to New York City and Los Angeles, demonstrators marched to call for a government that prioritizes the needs of working families over the interests of the wealthy.
In Washington, Jennifer Vasquez Sura spoke passionately about her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who she says was mistakenly detained and deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration.
“He was illegally detained, abducted, and disappeared by the Trump administration, though they admitted it was an error,” Vasquez Sura told the crowd. “He has endured 50 days of suffering.”
Organizers accused the administration of neglecting working families by not investing adequately in healthcare, housing, and education. They aimed to make this year’s May Day demonstrations the largest in U.S. history, hoping to unite hundreds of thousands of protesters nationwide.
In Philadelphia, Senator Bernie Sanders addressed a massive rally, emphasizing the need for unity in opposing policies that he believes harm ordinary Americans. “This is about coming together to demand a government that works for all of us, not just the 1%,” Sanders said.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned that Medicaid could be the next target for cuts by the administration and Republican lawmakers.
“They are going after Medicaid next,” Ocasio-Cortez told protesters. “Our fight is not over because they have only suspended the cuts to Medicaid.”
She highlighted the widespread nature of the protests, noting demonstrations not only in New York but also in cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, and Tucson.
In Manhattan, hundreds of lawyers gathered for a “National Law Day of Action,” chanting, “Respect our judges, give support. Stand behind them, and the court.” Speakers expressed concerns over what they view as the administration’s disregard for judicial authority.
Stuart Gerson, who served as an assistant attorney general under President George H.W. Bush and as acting attorney general under President Bill Clinton, addressed the crowd. “This is about country, not about party,” Gerson said, recalling advice he received about pledging allegiance to the Constitution rather than any individual leader.
The protests come shortly after President Trump celebrated his first 100 days in office with a rally of his own. As the nation grapples with deep political divisions, May Day demonstrators aimed to send a clear message: Policies they believe undermine immigrants, the judiciary, and essential social programs will not go unchallenged.
