May Day 2025 Protests: Thousands Expected to Take to the Streets Across the US in Opposition to Trump Policies
Thousands of people are expected to participate in over 1,000 protests across the United States on May Day 2025, with a significant number of demonstrations planned in New Jersey. The protests, dubbed May Day 2025 and May Day Strong, are part of a National Day of Action backed by a coalition of over 250 local organizations. According to MyCentralJersey.com, the events aim to decry what protesters describe as corrupt, lawless, and predatory politics from President Donald Trump and billionaire backers like Elon Musk.
The protests, which will take place on May 1, May 3, and May 4, are centered around the working class and the perceived negative impacts of the Trump administration and billionaire profiters on wages, benefits, and workers’ dignity. Organizers say the events are designed to honor and stand up for workers who are under attack by an administration that is defunding schools, privatizing public services, attacking unions, and targeting immigrant families with fear and violence. As MyCentralJersey.com reports, protesters are demanding a world where every family has housing, healthcare, fair wages, union protection, and safety, regardless of race, zip code, or immigration status.
The 50501 Movement, a grassroots initiative born on social media, is organizing the protests. The movement represents 50 protests, 50 states, one day, and urges citizens to take part in nonviolent marches, rallies, protests, and walk-ins. According to MyCentralJersey.com, May Day has several meanings and origins, but in several countries, it commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement.
Organizers will be holding signs and chanting as they march across US cities on Thursday, May 1, and this weekend. Protesters are demanding an end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration, protection and defense of Medicare, Social Security, and other programs, fully funded schools, healthcare, and housing for all, an end to attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, and other communities, and investment in communities, not wars. As quoted in MyCentralJersey.com, organizers wrote, "We are reclaiming our power from corporate elites, and we will not be intimidated by Trump, Musk, or their billionaire backers. They’ve ruled for too long. Their time is up. And May Day is just the beginning."
In New Jersey, there are 18 planned protests, with most taking place on May 1. Some of the protests are scheduled to take place in Bloomfield, Denville, Glassboro, Haledon, Newark, Nutley, Ocean City, Passaic, Phillipsburg, Pleasantville, Princeton, Rahway, Somerset, Trenton, Vineland, and West Caldwell. MyCentralJersey.com provides a full list of protest locations and times.
The protests will feature signs with slogans such as "Musk or us," "Benefits over billionaires," "Democracy not destruction," "Stop the billionaire takeover," and "We are the many. They are the few." According to MyCentralJersey.com, the events are expected to draw large crowds, with over 1,000 people attending a "Hands Off!" rally against the Trump administration in Trenton on April 5, 2025.
The May Day 2025 protests are part of a growing movement of opposition to the Trump administration and its policies. As reported by MyCentralJersey.com, the events are expected to be peaceful and nonviolent, with protesters exercising their right to free speech and assembly.
