Chicago May Day march: Thousands rally in support of workers' rights, immigrant protections
Thousands take part in Chicago May Day march and rally against Trump
Thousands of people marched and rallied in Chicago today in support of workers rights for May Day.
CHICAGO - Each year, International Workers’ Day draws crowds around the globe to fight for better protections, higher pay, and increased equality in the workplace.
Chicago sees a high turnout annually on May Day, with its march and rally dating back to the historic 1886 Haymarket Riot, which helped inspire the day's creation.
May Day rally in Chicago
What we know:
Thousands of people joined together on May 1 to stand in solidarity with workers worldwide by celebrating the labor movement’s wins and rallying to address its struggles.
This year, protesters say they are also fighting back against some of President Donald Trump's policies—mainly those that target immigrants, federal workers, and diversity initiatives.
"We have to stand up for workers, and we have to stand up for immigrants, and we have to stand up for democracy," said Jean Keeley, protester.
Participants started gathering at Union Park in West Town at 9:15 a.m. Thursday for a prayer service. The park is where most of last summer’s DNC protests were staged.
"I feel like everyone is on the same page and wants to see a change," said Brittany Bourke, protester.
From there, the march stepped off at 11 a.m., heading through the West Loop towards Grant Park.
"I'm here for human rights," said Sara Trumm, protester.
In Grant Park, thousands of protesters gathered at the Petrillo Music Shell, where Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the crowd.
"We’re ready for this fight aren’t we," Mayor Johnson said. "If this democracy is going to survive, it’s going to be up to working people."
Local labor leaders, grassroots organizers, and advocates made their voices heard—addressing fair wages and safe conditions on the job, and demanding accountability for government policies that they believe are harming workers.
They also united over frustrations stemming from economic uncertainty.
"Anyone can see that stuff is getting more expensive and Americans are being squeezed in every single way, except our wages aren’t going up," said Philip Sturm.
Also magnified this year are immigrant rights.
"Letting them know that there are people standing right behind them and supporting them along the way," said Esmeralda Gonzalez, protester.
Some community members say they attended the event to be a voice for undocumented residents who were too fearful to take part.
"We are a united city and just seeing everybody from different ethnicities come in and support our immigrant community, our workers, it’s great, it’s beautiful," said Margarito Perucho, protester.
More than 30 cities across the country were expected to participate in the demonstrations for International Workers' Day.
Demonstrators march towards the Thompson Center for May Day, also known as International Workers Day, in Chicago on May 1, 2018. (Photo by Max Herman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which was founded in Chicago, was one of several organizations that participated.
"On May Day, SEIU members across the country are standing shoulder to shoulder to say: immigrant rights are workers’ rights. We’re bringing the fight to the billionaires and politicians who are trying to divide us with fear and lies. We know the truth — an attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers," said April Verrett, president of the SEIU.
Organizers called for living wages, safer workplaces and a "future with dignity for all workers," according to the SEIU.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) said additional officers would be present along the march route and the rally.
What's next:
Thursday’s march and rally represented the kickoff to several days of May Day demonstrations.
On Friday, student walkouts are staged at several high schools and colleges across the city before another protest is scheduled at Federal Plaza beginning at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, a Black & Brown Unity March is scheduled for noon at Union Park, located at 1501 W. Randolph Street.
Haymarket Riot
Big picture view:
On May 3, 1886, Chicago police killed one worker and injured seven others who were striking for an eight-hour workday.
A rally the following day at Haymarket Square decrying the brutality also turned violent when police tried to disperse the crowd and a bomb was set off, leading to a chaotic response, dozens of injuries and the deaths of seven cops and at least four bystanders.
May Day started in 1889 in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot.
The Source: The information in this report came from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Service Employees International Union. Additional details were gathered during interviews with those who participated in Thursday’s march and rally.