Across the United States on May 1, working people stood together for fair wages, respect, an end to the assault on immigrants, and more.
"Why do we march on May Day? We march because billionaires are defunding our public schools and breaking promises to our students," explains NEA President Becky Pringle. "We march on May Day because working people—teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors—they all deserve more than just survival."
May Day is International Workers Day, which began in the late 1880s when U.S. workers began organizing for an 8-hour day. Now, as the Trump administration steps on workers while bracing billionaires, working people rallied outside schools, in town squares, and across the United States. Thousands marched in Ohio. Dozens came to a middle school in Des Moines. From California to Connecticut, and Michigan to Massachusetts, working people raised their voices. Many were NEA members, fed up with cuts to public education and the supports their students need.
In Washington, D.C., a May Day march swept past NEA headquarters, where educators from across the U.S. waited and joined in. It culminated in a park across from the White House, where participants heard from U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, of Hawaii, and U.S. Reps. Ilyan Omar, of Minn., and Pramila Jayapal, of Wash. They also heard from Jennifer Vasquez, the wife of Kilmar Abrego García, the Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration, currently held in a deadly El Salvadoran prison.
Listen to NEA Becky Pringle at May Day Rally
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Total time: 0:00May Day Across the U.S.
Union members, superintendents, elected officials, educators and community activists all came together at Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa, in an event hosted by the Iowa State Education Association. Their goal? To educate, advocate and stand up for our public school students.
NEA members from across the U.S. joined the May Day march and rally in Washington, D.C., calling on protections for immigrant workers and fair pay and respect for all.
Andrew Tawes/NEA
In Massachusetts, Hampden-Wilbraham Education Association members rallied at Stony Hill Elementary in Wilbraham, Mass., on May Day. Educators and students need better!
NEA President Becky Pringle (center) was joined by Jennifer Sanchez, to the left of Becky, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration to a deadly El Salvadoran prison.
Members of the Hampden-Wilbraham Education Association in Massachusetts stand up on May Day.
Michigan Education Association members rallied across the state on May Day.
Across California, California Teachers Association members rallied on May Day, saying their demands for safe and stable schools CAN'T WAIT.
It wasn't just educators rallying on May Day. Nurses at the University Medical Center in New Orleans kicked off a strike on May Day.
In Los Angeles, educators, immigration activists and community members stood together on May Day to defend immigrants' rights to safely live and work in the United States.
In Lafayette Park, rally-goers stood up for the U.S. Constitution and the rights of citizens to free speech, including speech that is critical of the current administration.
In Des Moines, Iowa, the May Day rally included educators, parents, unionists and community members from all across the city.
Across Maine, union members—including these ones from an AFL-CIO rally—stood up for workers' rights.
In Des Moines, Iowa, May Day was an opportunity to stand up for public education, too!
Workers in Miami rallied on May Day for fair wages and respect!
