New York City, NY – Thousands of workers and their families and supporters rallied in New York City to celebrate and honor International Workers’ Day on May 1, marching through downtown Manhattan from Washington Square Park to Foley Square. The May Day rally was called by the NYC Central Labor Council, which represents among many unions, the Laborers International Union Local 78, UAW CFU and ALAA, HTC (Hotel, Gaming, and Trades Counsel), IATSE and SEIU/32BJ.

The labor unions participating in the march highlighted workplace issues under Trump, including direct attacks on organized labor, and the use of ICE agents to terrorize workers and their families. One large contingent in the march was led by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, whose members carried large banners that read “Revive the strike!” and “ICE out of everywhere!”

Notable labor groups participating also included the Movement of Rank and File Educators (MORE) caucus of the UFT and members of Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

Jacob Muldoon, a member of TDU and Teamsters Local 804 said, “I’m here with FRSO at the May Day Rally at Washington Square Park. I’m a proud union member with the Teamsters and we’re to celebrate International Workers’ Day and to say happy May Day! We need to fight for workers’ rights, fight for ICE out of our communities, and fight for a better world.”

Lee Dynes, a member of FRSO and teacher with the MORE caucus of UFT added: “it’s amazing to see so many unionists and activists come out in solidarity with the working class and with oppressed peoples all over the world. International Workers Day is a wonderful opportunity for us unionized workers to build solidarity with the other peoples’ movements, and with each other.”

Community organizations also showed up, including Brooklyn Against War (BAW), a local group fighting to free Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, and to end U.S. aggression.

BAW member Collin Poirot explained, “We are here today because we know that the wars and aggression against Iran, Venezuela, Palestine and so many other countries have no benefit to the workers here. The strike on Venezuela to illegally kidnap President Maduro cost $3 billion, and the war on Iran has cost $35 billion. Those dollars spent bombing and oppressing workers in other countries should have been used to support working class families right here in the United States.”

Chants included “They’ve got the money, we’ve got the might! Shut it down, revive the strike!” alongside calls for “ICE out!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for wars and deportations!”

New Yorkers interested in joining the labor movement should attend FRSO NYC’s General Meeting on May 9, which will focus on the topic of “Reviving the Strike: The Task of Socialists in the Labor Movement”. The meeting is open to the public, and the registration link can be found on the @frsonyc Instagram page.

#NewYorkCityNY #NY #Labor #ImmigrantRights #MayDay

New York City, NY – On April 29, UFT teachers from the Movement of Rank and File Educators (MORE) and community members who engages with the NYC public school system flooded the New York City Department of Education’s “Panel for Educational Policy.”

First, they rallied outside the panel venue at Sun Yat Sen Intermediate School at 5:30 p.m., with speeches calling on the department to give more material support for immigrant students being abducted by ICE, to oppose the encroachment of AI in public education, and criticizing the push from the New York Police Department to establish buffer zones around schools.

Teachers chanted, “When immigrant students are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Then the activists went inside. They were all wearing red and holding signs like “More support for our immigrant students!” and “No AI!” The teachers lined up for public comment, criticizing their bosses, the education department and the chancellor about the backward budget plan and its connection to big education technology companies, as well as for the lack of material support and guidance for immigrant students.

While the panel tried to shut down speakers for being “off topic,” union activist and Bronx teacher Lee Dynes during his public comment, “When’s the last time you were in a classroom? If ever? It’s the teachers and the students who really know the problems that we are dealing with.”

A longtime MORE member and teacher said to the panel, “We have all this money for AI, but somehow we don't have any money for legal support for our immigrant students.” She continued, with the crowd applauding, “We’re asking for some clear and immediate actions: we ask that the DoE denounce any detention, removal, or family separation by ICE within 24 hours; that teachers and school staff be allowed to go to 26 Federal Plaza during the work day to support impacted families, and trainings to ensure staff know what to do when immigration enforcement is outside of schools, and what happens if they come inside.”

In New York City, there are no democratically elected school boards like there are in other cities. Instead, there is “mayoral control”, where the mayor appoints the relevant positions of the DoE. Therefore, pressuring DoE officials at the Panel for Educational Policy, during a tiny two-minute 30-second window once a month, is one of the only ways teachers and community members can speak out on educational policy in NYC, and push to the forefront the most pressing issues that schools, teachers, and students are facing today.

#NewYorkCityNY #NY #Labor #Teachers #Education #UFT #MORE

New York City, NY – On Wednesday February 11, in the frigid cold of Manhattan’s financial district, rank-and-file unionists held a speakout in front of United Federation of Teachers headquarters, while the union’s monthly delegate assembly was being held. The action sought to put pressure on union leadership to do more to support immigrant students, families and staff from ICE attacks.

The speakout coincided with an “Immigrants Rights Week of Action in Schools” organized by the MORE Caucus (Movement of Rank and File Educators) which included sending mass emails to UFT top brass to pressure them to do more on the immigrant rights issue.

The teachers chanted “When immigrant students are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Legalization for all, say it from the union hall!” Calling out UFT President Michael Mulgrew by name, they shouted “Mulgrew Mulgrew hear our cry, we want support and that’s no lie!”

The teachers gave speeches comparing the militant anti-ICE actions of other teachers’ unions—like in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and the leading immigrant rights work done by the Chicago Teachers Union and United Teachers Los Angeles—to the work of their own union in NYC.

They brought attention to the lack of funding and centralized guidance of the immigrant defense committees which have formed at various school sites in NYC after the election of Donald Trump in 2025. The UFT passed a resolution at their delegate assembly in June of that year rhetorically supporting the creation of the committees, but the teachers say they are lacking material support from their union leadership.

Ismael Ali Moussa, a Bronx teacher who participated in the action, said, “Wednesday’s speakout outside the UFT was a powerful reminder that when we come together and raise our voices collectively, we can’t be ignored. It wasn’t just about making noise; it was about standing in solidarity for our community but most importantly our immigrant students! Being there showed me how much energy and determination there is among us to fight for real change and demand for change.”

#NewYorkCityNY #NY #Labor #UFT #Teachers #MORE

NYC, NY – On November 5t, in Midtown Manhattan, the Movement of Rank and File Educators (MORE Cacus), the opposition caucus within the United Federation of Teachers, held their second General Assembly of the year. The event was called “Hands Off Our Schools: Building Union Power Under Authoritarianism” and heard from at least 40 teachers from across all 5 NYC Boroughs.

First, an introduction was made to what was meant by the word “authoritarianism”. Tech oligarchy, billionaires, the religious far right, and the use of repression and violence by a small elite were mentioned in the presentation.

Next, a panel took place with two MORE members discussing a recent resolution called “Hands Off Our Schools”, which was adopted by the UFT at the October delegate assembly. The resolution was drafted by rank-and-file teachers and MORE members after the election of Donald Trump and called on the union to oppose all attacks to public education, to education workers and to students, in all their forms. After considerable stonewalling and stalling from UFT leadership, when the resolution was presented to the delegate assembly, it was adopted with a 97% majority vote.

It was emphasized by the MORE Cacus how much opposition they face from union leadership in even being able have a resolution added to the agenda, let alone to have one voted on.

Teachers spoke and shared ideas in small groups and as a whole assembly. When discussing how authoritarianism manifests in their workplaces and lives, some mentioned curriculum mandates and the push for AI in education, the cutting off of SNAP benefits, and the threat of ICE raids and arrests.

When asked about what goals the unionists had, a lively discussion ensued where members shared “building a union which is strike ready,” “protecting our students,” “give our students what they need,” “be able to teach about Gaza” and many other ideas.

In order to meet these goals, the unionists emphasized that it was necessary to struggle against UFT leadership, who aren’t doing anything to uphold progressive resolutions that have passed. Equally stressed was the importance of mobilizing the rank and file of unions, using militant tactics including striking, and focusing on shop floor struggles which are directly tied to the workplace.

The educators left the meeting inspired and ready with ideas to take back to their workplaces and chapter meetings, to continue the fight against threats to their jobs and to public education.

#NewYorkCityNY #NY #Labor #Teachers #MORE #UFT

New York, NY – On September 6, in Midtown Manhattan labor unions began assembling at 8:30 a.m. for the annual NYC Labor Day Parade sponsored by the NYC Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The event is the nation's oldest and largest Labor Day Parade, with over 200 unions and constituency groups participating.

Many union locals had large floats which played loud music to energize the crowd of union members, who joined in to the event with their respective locals and enjoyed free food and drink.

Around 11 a.m., the crowd of tens of thousands of unionized workers began preparing to march north through the streets of Manhattan. While marching, they chanted, “Get up, get down, New York is a union town!” “Tax the rich! Tax the motherfucking rich!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!”

Among the many unions and union locals present were the UFT, DC-37, NYSNA, UCATS 3882 of NYU, CSEA Local 1000, 1199 SEIU, NYC Iron Workers, and more.

The United Federation of Teachers, UFT, were in particularly strong force. The nearly 200,000-member public sector union had a float and hundreds of members present, reflecting a wide array of political interests. Slogans included “ “Union strong” and “Never cross a picket line.” Reflecting their opposition to Trump's anti-immigrant policies, educators also shouted “Up up with education, down down with deportation!”

A sizable group of UFT workers had signs and shirts which said “UFT for Zohran,” reflecting the union's recent endorsement of the progressive mayoral candidate. They chanted, “UFT for Mamdani” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Andrew Cuomo has got to go.” Many of these unionists discussed their experiences canvassing for Mamdani.

Other UFT members were present who had organized themselves into an autonomous group called “NYC Educators for Palestine” and were campaigning for the Teacher Retirement System of New York to divest from companies which support Israel’s ongoing occupation and genocide of Palestinians.

Many people not participating in the march watched it go by in solidarity. The march ended at West 64th Street with musical performances, chants and speeches.

#NewYorkCityNY #NY #Labor #LaborDay #AFLCIO #UFT #NYCEFP

Nakba Day commemorates the victims of the Palestinian Nakba in 1948, during which Israeli settler militias ethnically cleansed over 750,000 Palestinians from their homelands, depopulating 531 villages, and massacring over 15,000 Palestinians to establish the state of Israel.

Nakba Day takes place yearly on May 15 to recognize not only the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in 1948 but the continued occupation of Palestinian land for over 77 years now. This year’s Nakba Day takes place during the ongoing genocide in Gaza which has led to the displacement of over 2 million people, the deaths of over 50,000, and the complete blockade of fuel, food and medicine into the Gaza Strip.

Nerdeen Kiswani, from Within Our Lifetime, called attention to the suffering of the Palestinian people and highlighted how they continue to resist and continue to remain resilient even in the face of genocide. Kiswani emphasized that if the Palestinian people are able to continue to fight back under those conditions, Americans have no excuse to not go out and protest to demand an arms embargo and cutting all ties with Israel. After she spoke, protesters chanted “We don’t want no two states, we remember 48!” And “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Protesters led by Within Our Lifetime took over the Brooklyn Bridge and marched across it to City Hall. As they marched, thousands of onlookers cheered, took photos and joined in on the chants. Police cars followed the protest across the bridge, inciting protesters to chant “NYPD, KKK IOF they’re all the same!”

The rally stopped at its second location where almost a hundred protesters holding a massive Palestinian flag were waiting. They took over the streets and continued marching to Union Square. Hundreds continued to chant “Resistance is justified, when people are occupied!” and “There is only one solution! Intifada revolution!”

At Union Square, dozens of Zionist provocateurs were stationed to harass protesters. The agitators hurled vile, racist insults and some of the agitators threw a yellow liquid at the rally, sparking a clash between police, Zionists and the pro-Palestinian protesters. Despite these attempts at agitation and disruption, the march continued past Union Square to Madison Square Park.

At Madison Square Park, Anas Saleh, from Within Our Lifetime and Doctors Against Genocide, read a statement from a Palestinian doctor who described the catastrophic conditions Palestinians in north Gaza are facing.

Salah then spoke on his own experiences traveling to the West Bank last year. He described how in just two months he saw the horrific reality of the Israeli occupation.. He saw blindfolded Palestinians on the streets being harassed by Israeli soldiers. He remembered how Palestinian children were told to hide behind a wall whenever they saw an Israeli soldier. He then spoke on his own encounter with a soldier. “Just because I am a young man and Palestinian, an IOF soldier stopped and asked me ‘Why are you smiling?’ He then pointed his gun at my head.” He emphasized how this was just his experience in two months in the West Bank; for Palestinians this is a daily reality for them that has held true for their whole lives.

The rally ended and dispersed after Salahs’ speech. Within Our Lifetime organizers urged protesters to continue coming out to the streets and to encourage more people to come out. The struggle cannot end until Palestine is free from the river to the sea.

#NewYorkCityNY #NY #International #Palestine #WOL #DAG

New York, NY – On February 27, the New York University Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a rally and picket outside the NYU Kimmel center to demand that the university senate refuse to comply with Donald Trump’s executive orders, and to commit to protecting its students from any attacks that may come in the future. 

Approximately 50 students marched outside the front entrance to the Kimmel center, where the U senate was meeting, and chanted “No compliance! With Trump’s violence!” and “When students are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!”

“NYU might promise to ‘comply with the law,’ but we will not comply with anyone, NYU-affiliated or otherwise, who seeks to threaten our rights, safety, or solidarity,” said an NYU student and speaker at the event. 

In the four weeks since Trump’s inauguration, he has enacted executive orders threatening the funding of institutions that welcome and protect trans, Black, brown, and immigrant students. Already, NYU has demonstrated a dangerous willingness to comply with these policies, preemptively canceling lifesaving gender affirming care at its institutional hospital and committing to “follow the law” when asked about allowing ICE on campus. 

The university administration has also attacked its students' rights to speech and protest, having suspended 13 activists and placed over 20 students on probation at the end of the winter term. This willingness to bend the knee to dangerous and discriminatory federal actions presents an ongoing threat to the safety of NYU’s student community.

NYU SDS commits to continued action to protect and serve our community. To quote the ending speech of the rally, “If the NYU administration refuses to defend its students against the Trump regime, we will defend ourselves.”

#NewYorkCityNY #NewYorkNY #NYC #ICE #SanctuaryCampus #NYU #SDS #NYUSDS #Trump

New York, NY – On February 25, over 20 NYU students, faculty and workers picketed the board of trustees meeting demanding they disclose and divest from all companies supplying Israel in its genocidal occupation of Palestine.

In addition to disclosure and divestment, the NYU People’s Solidarity Coalition demanded the closure of the NYU Tel Aviv campus, built upon stolen Palestinian land, and the reversal of all suspensions and probation charges of Palestine student activists. The coalition’s demands aim to cut the university’s ties to the state of Israel.

As board of trustee members were escorted into their meeting by campus security officers, they were confronted by picketersdemanding that they disclose and divest. As the meeting went on, picketers chanted “Trustees pick a side, justice or genocide” and “We want justice you say how! Answer our demands now!”

The picket was called for by the NYU People’s Solidarity Coalition, which consists of the NYU Students for a Democratic Society, NYU Students for Justice in Palestine, Shut It Down NYU, NYU Graduate Student Workers Union – UAW, and several other organizations.

The participating organizations vow to continue their fight against NYU, no matter what repressive tactics are thrown their way. They will continue struggling until they win all their demands.

#NewYorkCityNY #NewYorkNY #NYC #NYU NYUPSC #SDS #NYUSDS #NYUSJP #SJP #BDS #UAW #NYUGSWU #FreePalestine #Disclose #Divest

New York, NY – On January 24, over 50 NYU students gathered at a rally called by the NYU Students for a Democratic Society (NYU SDS) to protest against Trump’s backwards agenda for his second term as president. The rally took place at Garibaldi Plaza at Washington Square Park, a popular rallying spot for NYU student organizations. 

Students chanted, “No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA!”, “Racist, sexist, anti-gay Donald Trump go away” and “Trump hear us loud and clear, immigrants are welcome here!” Hundreds of people walked by the rally, stopping for brief moments to take photos and videos or to catch parts of it. 

Speakers from the NYU SDS, NYU Queer Union, NYU Students for Justice in Palestine (NYU SJP), NYU Black Student Union and the NYU Young Democratic Socialists of America (NYU YDSA) brought attention to the various attacks that Trump had already launched or plans on launching on the American people, including the NYU student body. 

In response to these attacks, speakers called on the people to unite, build community and fight back. 

“We must continue to support efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion. To combat white supremacy, to fight against a world that only recognizes heterosexual attraction, to oppose a world where the gender binary is the only reality, we must be louder and more forceful,” said the speaker from the NYU Queer Union. 

The speaker for NYU YDSA, said “Let me tell you we cannot fall into this world of despair, misery and belief that all we can do is stand by as conditions get worse hoping that will wake people up on their own. The work starts now. To educate, agitate and organize for the better world that each and every one of us deserves.”

After the speakers, protesters marched by the NYU campus. As they marched, campus security officers ran to set up barriers by NYU Gould Plaza. Gould Plaza used to be a public space that anyone was able to enter. However, after the first encampment at NYU, the administration had walls and a checkpoint constructed, restricting access to the plaza to only NYU students. As protesters marched, they chanted “The students united will never be defeated” with hundreds of NYU students looking on and making way for the crowd. 

The march ended at Schwartz Plaza, the site of the NYU second encampment from last year. Schwartz Plaza is next to the John A. Paulson Center, named after a billionaire hedge funder who donated millions to the Trump campaign. Campus security rushed to put up barriers in front of the plaza to prevent protesters from entering it. 

Ebtesham Ahmed, the emcee and a member of NYU SDS, ended the rally by saying, “We will be here to resist. We will be here to fight back. No matter how much they try to repress our movement, they will fail. Because we are daring to struggle and daring to win! And from the bottom of my heart, I believe that we will win.”

#NewYorkCityNY #NYC #NYU #NYUSDS #SDS #NYUQueerUnion #NYUSJP #SJP #BSU #NYUBSU #NYUYDSA #YDSA #Trump #Inauguration