New Jersey
Hotel owners in N.J. reminded to make sure housekeepers have panic devices
Under the law, hotel employers must supply, pay for and maintain panic devices, which can alert hotel managers or security guards. Some of the devices will set off a siren when activated.
The panic device law also requires hotels to keep a record of the accusations it receives and maintain the name of the accused guest on a list for five years from the date of the incident. The law also specifies any suspected misconduct or criminal activity must be reported to law enforcement.
In addition, the law prohibits employers from punishing any employee who activates a panic device, and the employer must notify other employees of the presence and location of any accused guests and allow them to opt out of servicing such locations.
The law stipulates the hotel, motel or inn must also immediately reassign the hotel employee who activated the panic device to a different work area away from the accused guest’s room for the duration of their stay.
Hotels that violate the law can be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for subsequent violations.
“The hospitality, entertainment, travel tourism industry is huge in New Jersey, it employs thousands of hotel workers,” Asaro-Angelo said. “Because this industry is so vital to our state it’s even more vital we protect the workers who work here.”
He noted the device can be worn on a chain around the neck, or it may be a type of two-way radio that can be carried in a pocket.
There are currently about 350 hotels, motels, inns and guest houses that have 100 or more rooms in New Jersey.
Some big brand hotel chains, including Marriott and Hilton, have distributed panic devices across the nation to all their employees who work alone in guest rooms.
According to a Labor Department spokesperson, the agency is focused on panic device law awareness and education, and has not issued any fines or penalties yet.
UNION, New Jersey (WABC) — A 20-year-old man is charged with the deadly mass shooting that caused chaos at a Chick-fil-A in New Jersey.
Jaheed Fields of Newark is facing several charges including murder and attempted murder.
On April 11, Fields opened fire inside the Chick-fil-A on Route 22 in Union. A 23-year-old man was killed and six others were hurt. Customers inside the restaurant went scrambling for the exits.
So far, no motive for the shooting has been revealed.
Witnesses say they heard at least seven shots piercing into the crowd.
Longtime customers said they were shaken by the violence.
“That’s what’s terrifying, being a father or a parent, you have to always be vigilant and keep your head on a swivel and make sure that you’re paying attention to your surroundings and try to avoid getting yourself into a situation and unfortunately coming to a Chick-fil-A at dinner time is apparently a situation you may have to avoid now a days,” customer Christopher Devido said.
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NJ workers’ rights activists march and rally in Newark on May Day
Workers’ rights activists march and rally in Newark for May Day on May 1, 2026.
Protests marched through two of the largest cities in New Jersey on May Day.
On a cool, sunny Friday morning, activists gathered at the Abraham Lincoln statue on Springfield Avenue in Newark for a rally, followed by a march to Broad Street.
Later that afternoon, protesters met in front of City Hall in Jersey City and continued their protest by walking down to the Hudson River waterfront before making their way back to City Hall.
The protests are among many on May 1 taking place across New Jersey and nationwide as part of an effort known as May Day Strong to call attention to such issues as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, taxing the wealthy, affordability, and corporate power, while also calling on the public to do “no work, no school, no shopping” if not protesting.
Montclair resident Karen Szczepanski was one of the participants and part of a small group of protesters taking part in a 50-mile, several-day march starting from the Lincoln Statue in Newark and ending in Trenton on May 7. That march is to call on state legislators to pass a bill to make fossil fuel companies pay billions for pollution.
“Part of the May Day celebrations today is to highlight the destruction that the Trump Administration is doing to the environment,” Szczepanski said. “This affects all of our communities. Not just Newark, not Jersey City, it affects all of our communities.”
Longtime Newark activist Larry Hamm led attendees in a chant of “Happy May Day” as he addressed them about how the federal minimum wage in the country have been stagnant for years before embarking on a march in Downtown Newark.
”CEO pay has increased, bosses pay has increased, management pay has increased. It’s time for the workers pay to increase,” Hamm said.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul
What May Day Strong is, why protests happen on May 1, and where rallies are planned locally
No Kings protest in Newark calls for end to Trump policies
Passionate marchers took to the streets of Newark, NJ for the national No Kings protest on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Demonstrations are taking place across the country today, including in New Jersey and New York City, as May Day protests return May 1, with organizers citing opposition to policies under President Donald Trump, billionaires, and economic policies they say favor the wealthy over the working class. Here’s why protests are happening today — and where rallies are planned locally.
The protests are part of May Day Strong, a loosely organized national call for rallies, walkouts and demonstrations on May 1. Organizers say thousands of events are planned nationwide, including marches, rallies and school or workplace walkouts, as part of what they describe as a “no work, no school” day of action. Protests are expected throughout the day and this weekend in major cities, including New York City, and across North Jersey and the entire state.
May 1, known as International Workers’ Day, is not a federal holiday in the U.S., but May Day protests have been held in the U.S. for decades. This year’s demonstrations have gained momentum amid renewed debates over labor rights, immigration enforcement and economic inequality. The return of Trump to the White House and criticism of what protesters describe as outsized influence by billionaires and corporations have helped drive turnout, with tens of thousands expected to participate nationwide. Groups promoting May Day events include organizations such as Indivisible and 50501, which have also been involved in past No Kings protests, though organizers say May Day demonstrations are focused on labor and economic issues rather than a single campaign or slogan.
Why protests happen every May 1
May Day, observed each year on May 1, is recognized internationally as International Workers’ Day, a date rooted in the labor movement and protests dating back to the late 1800s, according to Britannica.
In the United States, May Day is not a federal holiday, but it has increasingly become a focal point for demonstrations in major cities. In recent years, protests held on May 1 have expanded beyond traditional labor issues to include immigration enforcement, economic inequality and broader political concerns, drawing coordinated rallies and marches nationwide.
What is May Day Strong?
May Day Strong is a decentralized national effort calling for rallies, walkouts and demonstrations on May 1 under the slogan “No work. No school. No shopping.” The movement brings together labor unions, immigrant rights groups and grassroots organizers, rather than operating under a single national leader or organization.
Organizers describe the day as a coordinated action meant to highlight worker rights, immigration enforcement and economic inequality, urging participants to step away from jobs and classrooms to draw attention to what they say are systems favoring corporations and the wealthy.
Why Trump and billionaires are a focus of protests this year
Organizers say this year’s May Day protests are being driven in part by opposition to policies under President Donald Trump and what they describe as the growing influence of billionaires and corporations. They argue those policies have benefited the wealthy, while leaving many workers struggling with rising costs and fewer protections.
Where protests are planned in NJ and NYC today
May Day protests today and this weekend are planned in New York City and New Jersey, including North Jersey, with demonstrations expected at public spaces such as city halls, government buildings, transit hubs and college campuses. Some rallies are during the morning commute, while others are planned midday or later in the day.
New York City
- Union Square, a focal point for May Day gatherings
- Washington Square Park, where a rally at 3 p.m. is being organized
- Protests and rallies are expected in Central Park, near City Hall, government buildings, at public plazas, and major transit hubs, particularly in Manhattan, and at locations near college campuses
New Jersey
- Downtown areas in cities like Newark, Jersey City and towns like Montclair/Little Falls, Nutley, Verona and Newton (on May 2)
- Public spaces near government offices and transit centers, college campuses, like Rutgers
- Select communities in North Jersey where organizers have promoted actions
For a full list of events, visit MayDayStrong.org, or find a protest near you at mobilize.us/mayday/ and fiftyfifty.one/events.
What time are May Day protests happening?
May Day protests planned throughout the day on May 1 are scheduled at different times depending on location and organizing groups. For example, the May Day NYC protest is at 3 p.m. ET, while some, like the student-led Rutgers rally is at noon. Some are during the morning commute, while others are expected to take place midday or in the evening.
Since May Day demonstrations are organized by multiple groups rather than one single national organization, start times will vary. Protests are also expected into the weekend. For more information or to find times and locations, go to the official May Day Strong 2026 website.
Is May 1 a holiday?
May 1 is known as May Day, or International Workers’ Day, commemorating the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. While not a federal holiday in the United States, May Day is a holiday in many countries including India, Germany, Spain, Portugal, China, France and Greece, according to Britannica. In the U.S. and Canada, a similar observance — Labor Day — is the first Monday of September.
In recent years, May Day has taken on a political narrative in the U.S., with labor unions and advocacy groups using the date to launch rallies, marches and demonstrations, drawing attention to wages, working conditions and broader economic concerns. In 2025, scores of people filled the streets including in New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Denver, Chicago and Los Angeles.
What is 50501 and how does it connect to May Day protests?
The 50501 Movement is a grassroots initiative born on the social platform Reddit and under the hashtag #50501 in the early days of Trump’s second term. It stands for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day, which has since evolved to 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement.
The 50501 volunteer-led group states on their website their movements “shows the world that the American working class will not sit idly by as plutocrats rip apart their democratic institutions and civil liberties while undermining the rule of law.” Protests, rallies, walk-ins, and other events will continue until the government upholds the Constitution and ends their executive overreach, the group said.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network’s Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.
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