Thousands of people are set to gather across Southern California on Thursday, May 1, 2025, to commemorate International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day. This year, the planned demonstrations have evolved into a platform for protesting against President Donald Trump’s deportation policies targeting immigrant communities.
The Los Angeles May Day Coalition, which includes groups such as the Service Employees International Union, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, LA Sacred Resistance/Sanctuary Task Force (Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles), and the Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, will rally under the banner "One Struggle, One Fight - Workers Unite!" The event is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles at 10 a.m., with the march commencing at 11 a.m. Figueroa Street will be closed from Olympic to Chick Hearn Court starting at 7 a.m. to accommodate the event.
In Boyle Heights, the group Centro CSO plans to march from Mariachi Plaza to the Metropolitan Detention Center to call for an end to deportations. Their rally will kick off at 4:30 p.m., with the march starting at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, the MacArthur Park May Day Rally will also commence at 4:30 p.m., featuring groups like United Teachers Los Angeles, Unión del Barrio, Stop LAPD Spying, and Palestine Youth Movement. They will unite under the Community Self-Defense Coalition to advocate for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and an end to deportations.
In Long Beach, the local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice will host a rally at Lincoln Park, starting at 5 p.m., requiring participants to wear face coverings.
In Orange County, a coalition of organizations, including Action Network, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Colectivo Tonanzin, Chicanos Unidos, VietRISE, and OC Environmental Justice, will gather in Santa Ana to call for an end to the attacks on immigrant and refugee families. Their rally will begin at 3:30 p.m. at El Centro Cultural de Mexico.
Nationwide, May Day rallies will target President Trump’s actions against workers, the rule of law, and the common good. Organizers have stated, "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." This message echoes through various protests across the country, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by workers and marginalized communities.
In Portland, Oregon, multiple May Day rallies are planned for the metro area, with organizers from the 50501 Movement leading the charge. These protests are part of a recurring series that began with the "Hands Off" rallies on April 5, 2025, aimed at protesting President Trump and the involvement of billionaire Elon Musk in government. Marcia Schneider from East Portland Indivisible mentioned, "Our democracy is seriously at risk. We are looking at an authoritarian kleptocracy takeover of all of our services, all of our agencies, and all of our rights." Portland police expect large crowds for the Thursday events, which could draw thousands of participants.
Among the planned events in Portland are a rally at South Park Blocks from 1-5 p.m. organized by 50501 Portland, and a protest at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 4:30-6 p.m., where participants will advocate against Trump and Musk’s policies.
In Vancouver, Washington, a rally supporting immigrant rights will take place at Esther Short Park from 12-2 p.m., while another event is set for later in the day at the Clark County Historical Museum from 5-8 p.m.
Salem, Oregon, will also see activity with a May Day march for immigrant and worker rights outside the Oregon State Capitol building from 12-5 p.m., organized by PCUN, the farmworker union.
As May Day draws near, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and urgency. The protests serve not only as a reminder of the historical significance of International Workers’ Day but also as a rallying cry against current political policies affecting workers and immigrants.
In a stark contrast, Istanbul, Turkey, faces a heavy crackdown on May Day demonstrations. Authorities closed metro trains, buses, and ferries in a bid to prevent protests. Police arrested 100 individuals allegedly planning to demonstrate in Taksim Square, a site of significant historical protests that have been banned since 2013. Amnesty International has condemned the restrictions, calling them "spurious" and urging the Turkish government to lift the ban on demonstrations.
The situation in Istanbul highlights the global nature of May Day, where the fight for workers’ rights and freedoms is met with varying degrees of resistance and repression. As activists worldwide prepare to take to the streets, the spirit of solidarity and the demand for justice resonate across borders.
As the sun rises on May 1, 2025, the streets of Southern California and beyond will be alive with voices calling for change, justice, and recognition of the contributions of workers everywhere.
