Darcie Chan Blackburn (left), a San Francisco teacher, marches alongside thousands of demonstrators from Civic Center Plaza toward the Embarcadero during a May Day protest in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Thousands of Bay Area residents, workers and labor activists rallied for May Day in an annual demonstration made more urgent by the Trump administration’s policies. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)
Thousands of Bay Area residents, workers and labor activists rallied for May Day in support of workers and immigrants, with protests calling out Trump administration policies.
In Oakland, around 200 marched Thursday afternoon from the Fruitvale BART Station to San Antonio Park.
“Even though the conditions that we are living in are frightening and terrifying, a lot of our communities know that this is nothing new and that the constant escalation is something that we want to be prepared for and organized for,” said Priya Prabhakar, a member of Critical Resistance Oakland, one of the organizers of the march.
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Prabhakar said the Trump administration is not the root cause of struggles but rather the symptom of systems that are built to oppress people.
Organizers also drew parallels between rights for workers and immigrants and the push for a free Palestinian state.
Similar marches took place in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, San José and across the Bay Area. More than 50 marches and strikes were slated to take place on May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, among thousands nationwide.
“We want to work freely,” said Socorro Diaz, a housekeeper in Sonoma County. Diaz said she felt compelled to start organizing fellow workers, many of them immigrants, when the administration launched its sweeping immigration crackdown.
“Our rights as immigrants are human rights, and we want worker rights to be respected,” Diaz said.
May Day San Francisco: Rally and March for Immigrant and Workers’ Rights
Thousands of demonstrators gather in Civic Center Plaza to listen to speakers during a May Day rally in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)Supervisor Jackie Fielder speaks during a May Day rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)Demonstrators gather in Civic Center Plaza to listen to speakers during a May Day rally in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)Thousands of demonstrators march from Civic Center Plaza toward the Embarcadero during a May Day protest in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)Demonstrators march from Civic Center Plaza toward the Embarcadero during a May Day protest in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)
May Day Strong: We Are the Many, Santa Rosa
Maureen Hayes holds an American flag during a May Day rally, calling for immigrant rights, on International Workers’ Day, in Santa Rosa on May 1, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)Hundreds march during a May Day rally, calling for immigrant rights, on International Workers’ Day, in Santa Rosa on May 1, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)Hundreds march during a May Day rally, calling for immigrant rights, on International Workers’ Day, in Santa Rosa on May 1, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)Carol Bloom, center, chants during a May Day rally, calling for immigrant rights, on International Workers’ Day, in Santa Rosa on May 1, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)Hundreds gather at the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office during a May Day rally, calling for immigrant rights, on International Workers’ Day, in Santa Rosa on May 1, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)La Banda Toxica performs as people dance at Old Courthouse Square, following a May Day rally, calling for immigrant rights, on International Workers’ Day, in Santa Rosa on May 1, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)
Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants
Hortencia M. (left) and Maria E. chant and play buckets as drums as part of the Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants in Oakland on May 1, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)ILWU Local 10 Drill team performs and Cat Brooks speaks in Fruitvale BART Plaza in Oakland prior to the Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants in Oakland on May 1, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)Demonstrators march down International Boulevard in Oakland as part of the Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants on May 1, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)Spectators watch as the Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants proceeds down International Boulevard in Oakland on May 1, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)Spectators watch as the Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants proceeds down International Boulevard in Oakland on May 1, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)Demonstrators march down International Boulevard in Oakland as part of the Oakland Sin Fronteras May Day March for Labor & Immigrants on May 1, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)
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