Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the United States on Thursday in a sweeping May Day protest aimed squarely at President Donald Trump, denouncing his administration’s immigration policies, treatment of the judiciary, and favoritism toward billionaires and corporations.

From New York to Los Angeles, Washington to Phoenix, the demonstrations drew a diverse crowd — including lawyers, teachers, politicians, and labor unions — in what organizers hoped would become one of the largest May Day protests in U.S. history.

In Washington D.C., protesters gathered in front of the Capitol, where Jennifer Vasquez Sura gave an emotional speech about her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a U.S. resident mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration.

“He was illegally detained, abducted and disappeared, though they admitted it was an error,” said Vasquez Sura, noting he has endured “50 days of suffering.” The crowd responded with chants of “Bring Kilmar home!”

Protestors march to demonstrate during a May Day rally in New York City, U.S., May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The rally was co-organized by Public Citizen, a consumer rights advocacy group, alongside more than 200 labor unions and immigrant rights organizations. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, framed the protest as a stark contrast between Trump’s priorities and the needs of working Americans.

“It’s a clear split screen between the priorities of the Trump administration and what regular people want and need,” Gilbert said.

Politicians Join the Front Lines

Democratic lawmakers joined the protests in several cities. In New York City, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned that the administration, alongside the Republican majority in Congress, was preparing to slash Medicaid. “They are getting scared. But our fight is not over,” she told a crowd of more than 6,000.

In Philadelphia, Senator Bernie Sanders energized thousands with a call for economic justice and working-class solidarity. “We want something for our efforts,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Representative Ilhan Omar, speaking in Washington, lambasted Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, which has overseen sweeping cuts to federal agencies and the firing of government employees. She accused the administration of “eliminating oversight so corporations can exploit workers without consequences.”

A demonstrator in a homemade Trump mask attends a May Day Strong – ‘For the Workers, Not the Billionaires’ rally, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger  TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Legal Community Mobilizes

In New York, hundreds of lawyers held a “National Law Day of Action,” calling attention to what they say is a dangerous pattern of judicial interference and legal overreach by the Trump administration. Chanting “Respect our judges, give support,” they rallied near federal courthouses.

Stuart Gerson, a former assistant attorney general under President George H.W. Bush and acting attorney general under President Bill Clinton, reminded the crowd that loyalty should lie with the Constitution — not with individuals. “This is about country, not about party,” he said.

Numerous law firms have pledged pro bono support to challenge Trump’s orders, while judges have complained of the administration’s noncompliance with court rulings on matters ranging from foreign aid to public-sector employment.

SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB A protestor holds a sign to demonstrate during a May Day rally in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole

Protests Stretch Nationwide

Demonstrations also erupted in Los Angeles, where marchers condemned not only Trump but also Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, accusing them of benefiting from anti-worker policies. Protest signs read “L.A. labor stands with immigrants” and “Resist Fascism.”

“The constitution is being trampled on,” said 62-year-old protester Mark Diamond from L.A.’s San Pedro district. “If it takes four years, we’ll be out here 100 times.”

Protests were also reported in Denver, Tucson, Phoenix, and Idaho, showing widespread national dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s direction just days after the president marked his first 100 days back in office with a rally in Michigan.