• A protest in Newark on May Day went from the Lincoln Statue on Springfield Avenue to the Peter Rodino Federal Building on Broad Street.
• Protest in Jersey City on May 1 went from City Hall on Grove Street to the Hudson River waterfront.

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.

What May Day Strong is, why protests happen on May 1, and where rallies are planned locally

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.

U.S. gas prices have not been this high in the past four years.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas stands at $4.30 on April 30, compared to $3.99 a month ago and $3.18 a year ago, according to AAA gas price data.

And diesel prices have soared even more, with the current average standing at $5.50 for a gallon, compared to $3.56 a year ago.

“Oil prices have been climbing again as markets react to renewed geopolitical tensions and the cancellation of talks between the U.S. and Iran,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a website and app that tracks gas prices, said in an April 27 statement.

“As a result, gasoline prices are set to rise further this week, with diesel expected to follow. Many inland states — including those in the Great Lakes and Plains — could see average gas prices climb to their highest levels since 2022, while price-cycling markets may also experience another round of hikes in the next few days.”

How are gas prices in New Jersey? In what counties is gas more expensive?

Currently, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in New Jersey is 3 cents cheaper than the national average. A month ago, New Jersey’s average price was 12 cents below the national average, suggesting that NJ gas prices have been catching up with national prices.

When it comes to diesel, New Jersey’s average price is 17 cents higher than the national average, according to AAA data.