The conversation began with Merawi Gerima, member of FRSO DC and emcee for the event, asking about how the blockade is discussed and viewed in Cuba and what attention was given to it during the trip. “All attention in Cuba is on the blockade at all times,” said Fanaeian, “From the moment you arrive, there are murals in the airport detailing the blockade and slogans about fighting to end it. The Cuban people are affected every day by the lack of access to food, water, fuel and other goods that come from overseas.” She elaborated further, “It’s not just a blockade, it’s warfare. Economic warfare.”

The conversation next turned to discussion about Cuban healthcare and medical advancements made by Cuban researchers. Despite the devastating material consequences of the blockade, Cuba has more doctors per capita than any other country. The country maintains a comprehensive socialized healthcare system, which includes ample access to in-home doctor’s visits and rural clinics. Recently, a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s care was made available free of charge to anyone seeking care in Cuba. “It is amazing to see what the people of Cuba are able to accomplish despite the ongoing economic warfare,” opined Fanaeian.

Gerima next asked if the Cuban people hold any animosity towards the American people. “The Cuban people love Americans, and they want us to visit. They do not hate us; they hate our government.” Fanaeian told Germia. She went on to say that Cubans want the people of the U.S. in the streets protesting the blockade, and to fight for normal international relations with the Cuban government.

The Anti-War Committee DMV, an organization devoted to anti-imperialist action in the heart of the U.S. empire, had a contingent in attendance. “It was so important to be here today and hear about the work Cuba is doing to fight the blockade,” said Katie Sayour of the Anti-War Committee DMV, “With his recent indictment of Raul Castro, Trump is telegraphing the possibility of heightened aggression against Cuba. Now is the time for us to fight against this escalation!”

Follow @anti-war.dmv on instagram as the Anti-War Committee DMV – in coalition with FRSO DC – organize new actions to fight for Cuba.

#WashingtonDC #DC #AntiWarMovement #DMV #Cuba #MayDay

Baton Rouge, LA – On May 2, students from Baton Rouge High School and Liberty High School marched from the Louisiana State Capitol to reactionary Governor Jeff Landry’s mansion to demand “ICE out of everywhere!” This comes alongside a string of nationwide high school walkouts to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

International Workers’ Day, or May Day, is a holiday celebrating workers’ struggles. Trump’s attacks on the working class and deportations are hitting immigrants the hardest. The students carried on the legacy of hundreds of years of organizing by uniting on May Day to protest ICE attacks.

Baton Rouge High senior Selah Cheong said, “America was built on immigration through waves of newcomers who provided the essential labor, innovation and cultural diversity needed to transform the colonies into a global industrial power.”

Gabriela DeJean of Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Students for a Democratic Society continued by saying, “May Day is a day to celebrate the unbreakable spirits of workers. Immigrants brought May Day back onto the streets in 2006 when thousands of immigrants marched across this country demanding legalization for all.”

These students planned to walk out on Friday but faced threats from administration of not being able to graduate. This hostility came after Jeff Landry threatened the predominantly Black admins’ jobs if they allowed a walkout to happen. Landry has a long track record of meddling in public school affairs. He has signed a bill requiring schools to display the ten commandments, created an initiative to expand private school vouchers and take away resources from public schools, and was responsible for the firing of a law professor at LSU.

Landry also signed Act 399, which mandates cooperation with ICE agents and criminalizes any interference with federal immigration enforcement, to align Louisiana with Trump’s mass deportation campaign.

Ziad Eissa of Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “We are here to tell Landry and Trump we will not tolerate ICE in our state. The enemy is monopoly capitalism, and our allies are workers, documented or not.”

Since ICE’s attacks, some families have opted to keep their children home out of fear of separation. At LSU, university police collaborated with ICE to arrest two Iranian students in their off-campus apartments.

“It is not a crime to seek opportunities, or take a stroll down a street, or try to go to school without the fear of being taken away. Stand up against the brutality of ICE and Border Patrol!” Cheong exclaimed.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights #ICE #MayDay

Grand Rapids, MI – The Grand Rapids district of The Freedom Road Socialist Organization assembled for a May 17 reportback from Jessica Plichta on their recent humanitarian aid trip to Cuba. The event took place at Fountain Street Church

The presentations began with an introduction by Sam Tunningley, member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, who stated, “This country has a long history of militant labor organizing, much of which is intentionally buried, forgotten and written out of history. That's why it's important to commemorate the Haymarket Affair and own the righteous achievements made by the working class as a foundational part of this country.”

Jessica Plichta, the community activist and FRSO member, spoke on her humanitarian aid trip to Cuba. She underlined the importance of standing in solidarity with Cuba and what life is like under increasing sanctions.

Plichta stated, “In Havana, Cuba alone, over 500,000 Cubans participated in May Day that day without any oil.”

“That means every person walked on foot to get there, 500,000 people, walked to May Day in Havana,” said Plichta, adding the Cuban people love their country so much they were willing to walk in the early morning darkness to reach Havana and participate in May Day.

To close out the event, community members asked questions about Plichta’s experiences in Cuba and lessons that can be applied here at home. The organizers also had cultural art and books on display for community members to interact with.

#GrandRapidsMI #MI #Cuba #International #MayDay #AntiWarMovement

Minneapolis, MN – El viernes, 1 de mayo, una coalición encabezada por el Comité de Derechos de Inmigrantes de Minnesota y el Movimiento de Protectores Indígenas y respaldado por más de 60 sindicatos, grupos de derechos de inmigrantes, y otras organizaciones progresivas salieron a las calles para conmemorar el 20ª marcha annual el Día Internacional de los Obreros.

La coalición exigió que ICE se saque de Minnesota y la legalización para todos, puesto que la marcha siguió meses de lucha intensa contra la ocupación federal de la ciudad por los policías de inmigracion y confrontaciones militantes entre la gente y ICE. 10,000 manifestantes marcharon, cantaron, mostraron pancartas y celebraron durante la marcha del Día Internacional de los Obreros este año.

La marcha llenó la Calle Lako, el corazón de la comunidad inmigrante en Minneapolis del Sur, con grandes banderas, y contingentes de varios sindicatos, grupos de derechos de inmigrantes, grupos contra-guerra, grupos de estudiantes y otros movimientos progresivos. Como tradición para las marchas de MIRAC de 1 de mayo, la bandera principal fue sostenida por jóvenes, este año un grupo de estudiantes del colegio. La enorme marcha tuvo tres camiones de sonido, cada uno con su propio programa de discurso. La gente y las familias bordearon las aceras de la calle Lake para dar elogio a los eslóganes y brindar la marcha, saliendo de los varios negocios de inmigrantes para mostrar su apoyo.

Justo antes del inicio del programa, Consejeros de la Ciudad de Minneapolis progresivos tuvieron una rueda de prensa para leer la resolución del consejo municipal para nombrar al 1 de mayo como Día Internacional de los Obreros, seguido por una interpretación de baile por Danza Unida.

En la congregación inicial, las multitudes escucharon a Diego Guaman de Operación Vuelo Sagrado, un grupo comunitario de las bases que fue creado como respuesta directa a la campana en aumento a los inmigrantes en Minnesota y la necesidad de protegerlos, educar y apoyar a las familias inmigrantes.

“Ser inmigrante no es un crimen, pelear por tus derechos no es un crimen y hacer oír tu voz no es un crimen!” proclamó Diego Guaman.

Manuel Pascual, participante de MIRAC, les contó a las multitudes un poco de la historia de May Day y la importancia de salir a las calles en la 20ª marcha de 1 de mayo de la ciudad, “Cada año estamos aquí el 1 de mayo y cada año queremos decir la misma cosa: este es el dia del obrero. ¡El día de los obreros inmigrantes! El único día de fiesta del mundo que nos pertenece a nosotros!” Concluyó su discurso diciéndoles a las multitudes sobre la campaña actual de MIRAC para convertir Minnesota en Estado Santuario y un fin a toda la colaboración local y en el estado con ICE. “Estamos organizando, estamos presentándonos, y estamos retrocediendo a nuestros vecinos cuando ICE intenta llevarlos. Hoy es la práctica, mañana seguimos adelante!

La marcha se detuvo en la Calle Lake y la Avenida Bloomington, sitio de una gran operación federal en la cual policías de inmigracion estaban presentes el junio de 2025. Las multitudes escucharon a Isavela Lopez, activista que fue brutalizada por policías federales aquel día y ahora enfrenta cargos federales sin validez.

“Yo se que no estoy sola,” dijo Lopez, “En el momento se trata de más que me, y se trata de los niños en Palestina, se trate de la gente de Venezuela, y se trata de la gente que quedan encarcelada en los centros de detención ahora mismo!

Benji Gomez, miembro de las bases de Teamsters Local 638, quien también organizó una despensa comunitaria para las familias inmigrantes ubicado en su garaje durante la Operacion Metro Surge con la ayuda de los otros Teamsters de su sindicato, le dijo a las multitudes, “Soy inmigrante. También soy el primero de mi familia que me inscribí a un sindicato y me ha dado verdadero poder. Los sindicatos existen porque los obreros se presentaron juntos y exigieron dignidad, sueldos justos, condiciones sanas y respeto, y muchas veces esos obreros eran inmigrantes, ¡gente con la menor protección pero con el coraje de organizarse de todos modos! Eso sí es verdad hoy en día.”

En la marcha también aparecieron habladores incluyendo Presidente de AFL-CIO Minnesota Bernie Burnham, Presidenta de Local 59 de MFE MArcia Howard, miembros de Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, MN8, Monique Cullors-Doty con los Honrados 39, el Comité Anti-Guerra de MN, y muchos mas que representaban sus sindicatos y otras organizaciones de las bases.

La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad también tuvo un contingente grande y visible en la marcha.

La marcha terminó en una tienda Target al otro lado de la calle de la 3ª Delegación anterior (quemada) con un teatro criticando Target y la avaricia corporativa, y también más discursos inspirando a la gente que siga tomando acción. Al final de la marcha, los organizadores pidieron a los manifestantes que coman en los negocios que tienen como dueños inmigrantes en la calle Lake y que asistan a la posfiesta en el Mercado Central para concluir el día.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #Trabajo #DerechosdeInmigrantes #1ºdemayo #MIRAC #OSCL #ImmigrantRights #Labor #MayDay #FRSO

Tampa, FL — Despite a thunderstorm and tornado warning, a small but passionate group of workers and community members rallied in Ybor City on May 2 to celebrate International Workers' Day. The rally was organized by the West Central Florida Future Labor Leaders, the youth branch of the West Central Florida Central Labor Council, with demands to defend workers’ and immigrants’ rights.

The speakers included workers from a wide range of unions, such as Graduate Assistants United, the American Federation of Government Employees, Service Employees International Union, Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Polk Education Association. An immigrant rights group, the Tampa Immigrants’ Rights Committee, also spoke in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Day Without Immigrants protests.

Just one day before the rally, on May Day itself, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the union-busting SB 1296 into law. The bill is a direct attack on public-sector unions in the state, creating additional barriers to recertification. SB 1296 comes just three years after SB 256, another bill that raised the bar for recertification and decertified more than 100 public-sector unions in the state.

Shortly after losing their union in 2023, the University of South Florida's custodial, groundskeeping and maintenance workers had their jobs privatized. This past year, the workers unionized again, this time with SEIU.

“Since we were privatized, they have taken everything away from us,” said Juan Pena, an electrician at USF and organizer with SEIU 32BJ. “We’re fighting for fair wages, fair contract and salary.”

Speaking in Spanish, Paola Gutierrez with SEIU 32BJ said, “Siempre he dicho que todos unidos somos una sola voz y por eso creo que los sindicatos están listos para defendernos,” or “I have always said all of us united are one single voice and that’s why I believe that unions are ready to defend us.”

The rally ended with a short march around Centennial Park, with attendees chanting “Get up, get down, Tampa is a union town!” The march came to a close just behind the “Immigrant Statue,” a bronze sculpture honoring the Cuban, Italian and Spanish families who immigrated to and built Ybor City.

#TampaFL #FL #MayDay #InternationalWorkersDay #ImmigrantRights #Labor

Tacoma, WA – Several hundred people took to the streets of Tacoma on May 1 to rally for immigrants and workers’ rights. The crowd gathered around 4 p.m. and began chanting with messages such as “Stand up and shut it down, Tacoma is a union town!” and “Power to the people! No one is illegal!” Energy was high, and the mood of the event was celebratory.

The rally opened on Tacoma’s downtown Theater Plaza, with speeches from union members, immigrant rights activists, and tenant organizers. Nearly 40 organizations endorsed the event, including Teamsters Local 117, Washington State Nurses Association, Indivisible Tacoma, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Malaya Tacoma, and many more.

“I think May Day is the sickest holiday ever created,” said one attendee, Edgar Alvarez. “I’m here to contribute to the workers’ movement first and foremost. We’re in a spot right now where we need to start building momentum.”

The program at Theater Square concluded with a performance of Solidarity Forever by local protest band Bugs for Change. The crowd then moved into the street and marched first up the hill to Tacoma City Hall.

The crowd continued with chants such as “Union jobs and education, we will fight for liberation!” and “Stop the deportations!”

“Immigrant workers were on the front lines of the Haymarket affair, they were on the front lines of the 2006 megamarches and continue to be on the front lines of labor struggles across the country,” said Rie Guerrero of Pierce County Immigration Alliance. “The reason we’re stopping here at Tacoma City Hall is because one of the entities reaping profits from the abuse of our immigrant neighbors is our very own city government. The city of Tacoma has invested its retirement system in a mutual fund that has holdings in GEO Group, meaning it has banked its employees' financial futures on the continued profitability of concentration camps like the Northwest Detention Center.”

After that rousing speech, the crowd marched back down the hill towards the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC).

“We’re marching to demand justice for the immigrants that are in detainment in the NWDC,” said Moon Gosserand, emcee of the coalition event. “We must always, even if we don’t know them personally, stand up for the people that need it.”

The planned route to the NWDC crossed Tacoma’s 11th Street bridge, and, as protesters approached the bridge, members of the Tacoma Police Department started forming barricades to block the marchers from continuing on their route. However, the marshal team refused to turn back and pushed through. Eventually the police relented and the protesters continued as planned, completely shutting down the 11th Street bridge.

Chanting continued as the crowd made their way to the NWDC, including chants such as ““When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Shut it down! Shut it tight! Workers of the world unite!”

Upon arrival at the NWDC, the crowd continued chanting and the program resumed on the street outside the detention center. There were more songs and speeches, including one from Maximo Londonio, a member of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 695, who was imprisoned by ICE in May 2025.

One attendee reflected on the crowd which had marched nearly two miles from the starting location, “It’s really cool to see so many people from Tacoma uniting and showing up,” said Sterling Peel, a band leader with Bugs for Change and general member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “It really shows that this is a working-class town for the working-class people, and we have a strong working-class movement, and I love to see it.”

The program concluded with a song offered by members of Tangoll Migrante Movement which included the refrain “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” Many attendees vowed to continue fighting.

“Bottom line is, get in the streets!” said Alvarez. “If you’re not in the streets, get in the streets.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #Labor #MayDay

Santa Ana, CA – On May 1, nearly 300 people packed into Sasscer Park for International Workers’ Day. The rally and march, which also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the immigrant mega marches, was organized by the Orange County May Day Coalition. The energy in the crowd grew as the emcee of the rally, Abe Quintana from Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) led chants of “ICE out of Santa Ana! ICE out of OC!”

Michelle Ceballos from UAW started by emphasizing “the wealthy have extracted more and more profit from us, kept our wages low, raised prices, and bought out our politicians! It doesn’t have to be this way! May Day reminds us that when we fight, we win!”

Speaking on the immigrant mega marches 20 years ago Ceballos added, “In 2006, on a Day Without an Immigrant, millions hit the streets to defeat an anti-immigrant law, and won. In January, hundreds of thousands across the U.S. shut it down, to get ICE to back off. Today, people joined the call to shut it down again, to keep building momentum for a mass movement!”

Erika Armenta, the wife of Noe Rodriguez, a man who was killed by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) is also a member of CSO OC. Armenta told the crowd, “We need community control of the police to ensure that officers who have taken the lives of our loved ones face consequences-specifically, that they be fired and subsequently imprisoned. They must be held accountable for the lives they have unjustly snatched away!”

Armenta also spoke of CSO OC’s fight for immigrant rights, “Our Immigration Committee works with the working-class immigrants of the Coach Royal mobile home park who are fighting unjust evictions and abuse from Kingsley Management Corporation.”

Hussein Imreish from the Palestinian Youth Movement said,“ For the past two years we have seen how essential the labor movement is for Palestine. Through our campaigns such as Mask of Maersk and the Peoples Arms Embargo we have connected with principled and dedicated workers who reject the imperialist forces inflicting violence and exploiting our people.”

Diana Terreros from Freedom Road Socialist Organization Orange County (FRSO OC) kicked off her speech by saying, “Immigrants are super exploited to increase the profits of the billionaires.” Terreros spoke about the local example of Kingsley. “They do illegal terrible things to the residents all for profit and then count on the residents being too afraid to fight back due to their status. They have even threatened to call ICE on them! Shame!” Terreros finished with a call to action by saying, “We are an organization of fighters working shoulder to shoulder with the working class and have a real strategy to build a united front against these capitalists and you should join us in this fight!”

Gaby Hernandez from Chicanos Unidos stated, “We have worked heavily and led the campaign against gang injunctions. Gang injunctions create prisons in our communities without walls.” Hernandez added that “We started fighting against injunctions in 2006 and just a few months ago we were able to shut down injunctions here in Orange County!”

At the height of the rally, the large crowd started marching. The protesters stopped traffic, fully taking over the road, chanting “ICE out of OC!”, “Donald Trump, let’s be clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and “Jail killer cops!” throughout downtown as the crowd filled the busy streets.

The crowd held up signs saying “No Ice! Stop the deportations,” “Workers Forever, CEOs never” and “Fight for workers' and immigrants’ rights” while passing cars gave honks of support.

While marching, David Pulido, a member of FRSO OC and a chant leader for the march, brought attention to the parking lot where 73-year-old Miguel Chavez was brutally arrested by the SAPD in 2022. “They shot him with less-lethal rounds and sicced a K-9 dog at him! He later died from his wounds!” This started powerful chants of “Justice for Miguel Chavez!” and “Jail killer cops!”

This OC May Day coalition was comprised of and included organizers from CSO OC, OC DSA, FRSO OC, UAW, Harbor Institute, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Code Pink OC, OC Peace Coalition, CHIRLA, Orange County Banner Drop, OC Mutual Aid, Chicanos Unidos, Palestinian Youth Movement Orange County Environmental Justice, General Strike US, Nuestras Manos, Santa Ana Lucha, Santa Ana Active Streets, Save Orange Hills, Green Party of OC, Union de Barrio, VietRISE and Climate Action Campaign and.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #MayDay #InternationalWorkersDay #ImmigrantRights #Labor #CSOOC

Denver, CO – On Friday, May 1, public spaces saw protests, rallies and events celebrating International Workers’ Day. About 100 attended a May Day rally at the Colorado State Capitol to hear activists, organizers and workers speak in support of workers everywhere.

Grassroots groups such as Aurora Unidos Community Service Organization (AUCSO), Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee (DACAC and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) put on the May Day rally, inviting all those who stand against the billionaire agenda threatening community safety, and who stand for labor rights, public services and education to attend.

Alfredo Carbajal of AUCSO spoke to the crowd about issues plaguing immigrants in Denver and Aurora, including the GEO Detention Center in Aurora, which holds over 1500 people.

Carbajal stated, “For over a year now, we’ve witnessed the international targeting of our Black and brown friends and family with racist policing, detainment and family separation. From guard mistreatment to malnourishment and medical neglect, we have heard it all.” AUCSO works closely with families targeted by immigration enforcement and private for-profit prisons like GEO.

Carbajal continued, “Immigrants, workers and students are in the fight for a more just path to legalization and true self-determination.”

Miles Thompson, chair of DACAC told the crowd, “The police serve as a tool used by the bosses to stifle the progress that labor unions fight so hard to make, in addition to terrorizing our neighbors from oppressed nationalities.”

Thompson continued, “At DACAC, our fight for community control of the police is linked intrinsically to the labor struggle, and for Black and Chicano liberation. We oppose any and all suppression carried out by the corrupt police that harm civilians of all backgrounds.”

Condemning Aurora’s current police chief, Todd Chamberlain, for protecting “killer cops and slandering victims of police