May Day 2025: Thousands gather for march, rallies downtown Chicago
Union leaders say they are demonstrating for workers' rights, immigration and healthcare
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of people gathered for rallies and a march in Chicago on May Day. It is a movement that was started in Chicago.
The local event was just one of many similar events taking place across the country Thursday in opposition of President Donald Trump's administration's policies.
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The protest commemorated workers' rights, but organizers say issues like immigration, education and healthcare will also be at the core of the message demonstrators want to send home.
Leaders said the march was part of hundreds taking place nationally, bringing people who are impacted by the Trump Administration together.
"We're not going to normalize what's happening," said Lawrence Benito with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "We're going to take to the streets. We're going to make sure our voices are heard and let people know they have rights."
Organizers said different groups are represented in the protest,
Representing a broad coalition of labor unions and immigrant rights groups, along with every day people eager to speak out against the Trump administration's policies, demonstrators came together for one of the largest May Day protests in Chicago in recent years to show signs of solidarity in politically fractured times.
"I come from an immigrant family so it means a lot to me, fighting for my friends and for those that I love and care about," said Angelica Arroyo with the Southwest Suburban Immigration Project.
Among those in the crowd Thursday was immigration activist Julieta Bolivar. She is a legal resident now, but that wasn't always the case.
"I was arrested and put in deportation," Bolivar said. "And thanks God, my work, my community work, I did all the things right and I think that's why I'm here. This is my home."
And then, sandwiched in between the indigenous dancers and the labor unions were a small group of priests and their supporters.
"We realize there are criminals and bad actors but the overall majority of people are contributing to the nation and we just be believe there should be a path to legalization rather than just mass deportation," said Father Steve Niskanen with Priests For Justice For Immigrants.
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Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications said marchers began at Union Park around noon and headed to Grant Park, where there was a rally from 2 to 4 p.m.
Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed protesters shortly after their arrival in Grant Park.
"One thing I know for sure, because we have the strength to get out here today we are going to protect the rights of working people and the evolution of our democracy," Johnson said.
Marcher Kirby Spivey said he will not be silent anymore. The former teacher is just one of thousands who participated in Thursday's May March.
"We are united in this, that we can't stand for our democracy to pulled apart," Spivey said.
Marcher Rachel Kent said she simply feels like its her responsibility to act.
"As a white person, I'm not going to be immediately affected, but if we're not helping people, if we're not standing up on behalf of other folks then who's going to be left when it comes to us," Kent said.
Amna Hassan marched Thursday for her Palestinian father who she said died before being able to return to his homeland. She said she remains concerned about the Middle East.
"Why are we spending these billions of dollars when... we need money for education, we need money for our veterans, we need money for homeless," Hassan said.
For other marchers, it wasn't just about uplifting a singular cause, but exercising their constitutional rights in support of federal workers, public education and healthcare.
Anthony Tamez said the same community activism that lead him to be elected to the city's 17th district Chicago police council is the same advocacy that drove him Thursday.
"I think we need to protect everyone's rights, whether they're working in the city of Chicago, on farms, wherever they're at," Tamez said.
And regardless of the reason, many at the march made the 3.5 mile long trek of protest because they believe in change.
Rolling street closures were expected throughout the day. OEMC said there was an increased police presence.
An interfaith service wrapped up a little earlier Thursday morning. Faith leaders from different religions came together on stage to call out racism and the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown.
There, people from different immigrant advocacy groups sang, chanted and prayed for people who are affected by this administration.
Veronica Castro with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said they want people to walk away from Thursday's rally with a renewed sense of purpose in this collective call to action.
"This historic day for workers' rights wouldn't even exist without the contributions of immigrants, and we want to make sure we highlight the contributions of immigrants on this important day," Castro said.
