Protests against the Trump administration, Elon Musk, and their Republican allies happened last month as part of a nationwide movement called “May Day”.
“Currently, the status quo in America is that the very wealthy are able to control everything and pit people against each other laterally over wedge issues like race, our gender, sexuality, and we’re standing against that,” stated Dal Davis, a member of the Transylvania County NAACP, at a May Day rally.
In North Carolina, communities from the western to eastern parts of the state participated in the national movement, condemning Trump’s harmful policies and billionaire Elon Musk’s federal purging.
“This country was built on immigrants and the rights of the worker,” Jesse Bailey, a Hendersonville resident, told BlueRidgeNow. “I’d hate to see that get ruined by an oligarchy taking over. So, we’re out here to stand against tyranny.”
May Day is traditionally a day to demonstrate for workers’ rights, with many pushing back against Trump and Elon Musk’s policies that have targeted labor rights and ripped away jobs from thousands of federal workers.
“Right now, it seems more important than it ever has for workers to stand in solidarity across industries,” said Jen Hampton with the WNC Workers’ Assembly in Asheville. “If we don’t stand up right now, say something, and stand in solidarity with everybody, then we’re next.”
In Greenville, educators and advocates spent their May Day outside of Rep. Greg Murphy’s office, urging the lawmaker to take a stand with families and protect public education.
“We are here to talk and drop off letters to Congressman Murphy’s Office to tell him, as constituents, as parents, as caregivers, how critically important it is for him to support public education on the federal level,” stated Tamika Walker Kelly, the President of the North Carolina Association of Educators.
The advocates’ letter drop-off event was a joint effort with the NC Association of Educators, Pitt County Association of Educators, and the 50501 movement to ensure constituent voices are heard by Congressman Murphy.
“I hope that Congressman Murphy realizes that there are a lot of people that are frightened and scared and concerned with the direction our government is going right now,” stated Michael Tann, the 50501 Greenville leader. “We want to encourage him to have a real town hall, one that’s not scripted to let constituents ask questions of him so we can find out where his train of thought is and why he’s voting the way he’s voting.”
In Raleigh, thousands of North Carolinians gathered at rallies hosted at Halifax Mall and Bicentennial Plaza. Many condemned the Trump Administration’s harmful efforts targeting immigrant rights, including cuts to crucial federal programs and agencies, which have led to thousands losing their jobs.
“This new government wants to run our country as if we’re commodities that can be bought and sold, and we’re not,” Ieisha Franceis from Durham, told ABC 11. “We’re human beings.”
