On International May Day, Global Protests Erupt from Tokyo to Taipei to Manila Demanding Workers’ Rights and Peace

On International May Day, Global Protests Erupt from Tokyo to Taipei to Manila Demanding Workers’ Rights and Peace

According to an Al Jazeera report, International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is commemorated in honor of the struggles and achievements of workers. From Tokyo to Taipei and Manila, people across Asia marked the day with rallies and protests, many of which expressed concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies—especially amid growing global economic uncertainty.

May Day celebrates the struggles and successes of the labor movement. In the United States, demonstrations and gatherings took place in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia.

In several countries, Trump’s political agenda was highlighted as a source of concern. Organizers in the U.S. said this year’s message centered on resisting Trump’s anti-immigrant stance, attacks on public employees, and opposition to diversity policies.

In Taiwan, President William Lai Ching-te referenced Trump’s new tariff policies while promoting a proposed spending bill aimed at stabilizing the job market and securing livelihoods. In the Philippines, protest leader Mong Palatino warned,
“Trump’s tariff wars and policies are threatening our local industries.”

In Japan, Trump’s policies were described by many as casting a kind of "shadow." At a rally in Tokyo, a truck carried a puppet resembling Trump. Demonstrators there demanded higher wages, gender equality, healthcare, disaster relief, a ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Junko Kuramochi, a member of a Tokyo “Mothers Group,” said:
“To give our children a chance to live with hope, we must recognize workers’ rights.”

Tadashi Ito, a union construction worker, expressed concern about the rising cost of imported raw materials.
“Everyone is fighting for jobs, so contracts go to the lowest bidder,” he said. “We believe peace should come first. And we hope Trump will help end conflict and discrimination.”

This year, Los Angeles is expected to host one of the world’s largest May Day events. One banner there read:
“One struggle, one fight – workers unite!”

April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union (which represents 2 million workers), said in a statement:
“We are fighting against the billionaires and politicians who try to divide us through fear and lies. We know the truth — an attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers.”