By Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com, news-photos-features.com
Thousands strong came out for a rally in Washington Square Park, Manhattan, and march support unions, workers and the ideals of a pluralistic, diverse society – one of 3,000 May Day actions nationwide, a continuation of the anti-Trump resistance movements. More than an annual demonstration for union, workers’ rights and economic justice, the protests manifested ire against the Iran War and ICE, the attacks on civil and voting rights, protecting immigrants, making the rich pay their fair share of taxes and themes of the No Kings/Hands Off! Movements.
No War. No ICE. No Billionaires, read the banners behind the speakers.
The headliner was undoubtedly Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“Union strong is more than a slogan it is a practice of solidarity,” he declared, standing under the famous Washington Square arch.
“Workers have won the rights that are taken for granted today – 40 hour week, the weekend, overtime pay, minimum wage, social security workplace safety standards – these have all been won by the people before us.
“Yet we know those rights are not inevitable. We have to work together to not just protect them, but to advance that same agenda,” Mamdani said. “Our city hall is committed to doing all we can to put working people right at the heart of that agenda.”
Among the actions – not words – his administration has taken within the first 100 days:
- Delivered millions of dollars to workers in small businesses ripped off by mega corporations
- Appointed the first deputy mayor for economic justice, Julie Su
- Stood alongside nurses on the picket line
“And it is why we continue to fight for those – deliver universal childcare, faster buses, cheaper groceries, protecting from ICE and yes, working to tax the wealthiest and most profitable corporations in New York City.”
He added, “We know that one of the best ways to uplift worker power is to stand with our unions. A union town is union strong. Union strong is more than just a slogan it is a practice of solidarity.
“Today we will show what solidarity means, a people united, organized cannot be defeated,” Mamdani declared to cheers.
More than 60 unions and organizations, including NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, New York Immigration Coalition, participated in what is International Workers’ Day, which was one of some 3,000 across the country.
Protecting immigrants against the Trump Administration’s cruel policies was a strong theme, with several calling for the state to pass Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York for All legislation, establishing protections from federal authorities.
The May Day Strong protest represented union workers across a spectrum including teamsters, teachers, health workers, construction workers, musicians, stage and film workers, hospitality and gaming workers.
Notably, though despite being at the doorstep of New York University, the preponderance of people attending the rally were seniors. Among them, 98-year old World War II Navy veteran Arthur A. Wasserman and 87-year old Kathleen Hager, who expressed concern that in their lifetime, they have never felt the country at such risk.
Here are photo highlights from the May Day Strong rally and march in New York City:
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