CHICAGO — Hundreds marched Thursday to commemorate Might Day, demanding honest wages, protections for immigrant staff and denouncing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Chicago was certainly one of a whole bunch of cities throughout the nation the place individuals took to the streets to mark Might Day, also referred to as Worldwide Employees’ Day, a vacation with deep roots within the metropolis’s labor historical past. The march started Thursday morning in Union Park, with individuals making their technique to Grant Park by the afternoon.
Celebrated on Might 1, the vacation commemorates the Haymarket Tragedy — a pivotal second in labor historical past that came about in Chicago on Might 4, 1886. The violence erupted throughout a rally in help of eight-hour workdays when police moved to disperse the gang and a bomb was thrown at officers, prompting them to open fireplace.
Seven law enforcement officials and at the very least 4 civilians have been killed within the chaos. Though the bombing was blamed on anarchists unaffiliated with both facet, eight males have been arrested. 4 have been later executed regardless of no proof linking them on to the bomb; two had their sentences commuted and have been later pardoned, one died by suicide, and one other was sentenced to jail.
The Haymarket Tragedy dealt a significant blow to the eight-hour workday motion however has since develop into a logo of the worldwide battle for staff’ rights. A monument now marks the location at 175 N. Desplaines St., designated as a Chicago Landmark.
This yr, Chicago’s Might Day march additionally served as a protest towards the Trump administration. The demonstration got here simply as Trump marked his first 100 days in workplace, throughout which he signed 142 govt orders, pardoned 1,500 individuals concerned within the Jan. 6 rebellion, laid off tens of hundreds of federal authorities staff and carried out mass deportations, in keeping with NPR.
Chicago has develop into a frequent goal of the Trump administration for its progressive insurance policies and legal guidelines, reminiscent of its sanctuary metropolis standing and Chicago Public Colleges’ Black College students Success Plan.
On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the varied crowd of protesters at Grant Park, together with individuals of all ages, nationalities, creeds and races by calling on them to “preserve preventing.”
“We all know that over the past 100 days, the battle to defend our democracy didn’t start when Donald Trump was elected, and that our democracy has been underneath assault for a while now,” Johnson stated. “Let me make one thing very clear about Chicago. We are going to by no means fold. We are going to by no means bend. We are going to by no means bow all the way down to the fascism that’s being promulgated by this authorities.”
The group erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. Attendees waved handmade indicators with messages together with “From the river to the ocean, abolish ICE,” “Due Course of Is Not Non-compulsory,” “Impeach and Convict,” “RIP Structure” and “Trump is stealing your cash, your rights, your well being.”
For Chicago cousins Michelle and Jerilyn Cascino, protesting and organizing run within the household. Descended from a line of union staff and election judges, the pair joined the march primarily to protest Trump and his insurance policies. They instructed Block Membership Chicago they’ve been protesting almost each weekend since Trump’s inauguration in January.
“I’m simply an outdated white girl, you realize, middle-class, peculiar one that didn’t envision myself protesting. However that is to avoid wasting our democracy as I see it,” Michelle Cascino stated. “I feel [Trump’s] a liar. I don’t assume he could be trusted … nor the individuals who encompass him.”
Reverend Beth Johnson and Nicole Presley, each affiliated with Unitarian Universalist advocacy teams, emphasised the interconnectedness of points reminiscent of immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, employee justice and world struggles, together with Palestinian liberation.
For Presley, the march held private significance. Because the daughter of union staff, she credited union-negotiated well being care with saving her father’s life throughout his most cancers remedy and with supporting her personal training and profession.
“My capability to nonetheless have a father … is due to union-negotiated well being care. That is my means of giving again to the individuals who poured into me,” Presley stated.
She stated society is present process a “deep awakening,” as individuals understand they’re stronger once they unite. The mayor agreed, citing chants like “The individuals united won’t ever be defeated.”
“The time for silos is gone,” Johnson stated. “The threats we’re experiencing would require all of us to point out up.”
Take heed to the Block Membership Chicago podcast:
