Demonstrations taking place globally, attracting thousands of participating individuals.
Springin' into May, cities worldwide saw a sea of protesters flocking to streets to make their voices heard. Here's a lowdown on what went down in a few major cities!
France
With fierce spirit, between 157 and 300 thousand folks marched in France on May Day, with around 32 to 100 thousand in Paris alone. These demonstrations stood against the far-right, fought for peace, freedoms, and social justice. Sophie Binet, number one of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), had this to say; "This day of protest was a great success, we recorded 270 demonstrations across France." [1]
The protesters were backed by unions like the CGT, FSU, and Solidaires, who also rallied against the "Trumpization" of the global political landscape. Fast-forwarding a hundred days from Trump's arrival, concerns about the rise of racism lingered heavily among the protesters. While Paris marched with passion, it wasn't absent of chaotic undercurrents - the Socialist Party (PS) faced physical attacks, with their parliamentary leader, Boris Vallaud, vowing to take legal action. [2]
Iterating back to the beginning of France's demonstrations, Dunkirk, a bustling port city, led the charge. Tensions arose due to ArcelorMittal's plans to slash around 600 jobs.
Greece
News reports from AFP indicated that thousands of Greeks gathered in Athens on May Day for rallies and marches. Government services like ferries and metro, buses, and trolleys observed a work stoppage, tiring Athens' daily routine. [1]
Greek unions spoke up strongly for active policies against the high cost of living and the housing crisis. The PARME union, closely tied to the communist party, vowed to strengthen the fight for wage increases, collective agreements, staffed public services, and well-equipped schools and hospitals. Meanwhile, protests in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, saw an estimated 7,000 folks gathered, rallying with chants like "Let the rich pay, let the people earn." [1]
Cuba
Cuba hosted its first large May Day march since 2022, an event that unfolded in the iconic Plaza de la Revolución, Havana. Hundreds of thousands gathered to voice their rejection of the U.S. embargo, as well as the campaign against Cuban medical brigades. Protesters marched past the José Martí Memorial, where former president 93-year-old Raúl Castro, and the current president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, greeted the crowd with small Cuban flags. [1]
The march came amid concerns of escalating sanctions imposed by the U.S., which protesters believe is an attempt to create shortages and destabilize Cuba. Ulises Guilarte, leader of Cuba's workers' union, denounced the "perverse American campaign against Cuba's medical cooperation programs." [1]
Tunisia
In the heart of Tunis, hundreds of Tunisians demonstrated against President Kais Saied's policies and to demand the release of detained political figures. The rally enlisted participants from various political factions, backed by the powerful Tunisian labor union, UGTT, and the supporters of detained opposition figures. [1]
"We are not satisfied with what's happening," proclaimed Souhaieb Ferchichi, a demonstrator. "This regime is failing," he argued, referring to the government's disregard for the constitution and the law. [1]
Protesters carried banners, including one that read "Injustice is the beginning of the end," and chanted "The revolution will come." UGTT leader, Noureddine Taboubi, condemned the repression of freedoms in Tunisia since President Saied's power grab in 2021. [1]
France's protests showcased intense incidents and passionate demonstrations, while Greece, Cuba, and Tunisia's marches focused on issues like demands for higher wages, better working conditions, and calls for political and economic reforms. Odds are, similar passionate demonstrations will mark May Day 2025!
- Protesters in France marched for social justice, against far-right politics, and for peace and freedoms, with a reported 32 to 100 thousand in Paris alone. [1]
- In Greece, May Day protests saw thousands gather in Athens, with government services shut down and unions demanding active policies against high living costs and the housing crisis. [1]
- Cuba saw a return of large May Day marches since 2022, with hundreds of thousands gathering to denounce the U.S. embargo and American sanctions against Cuba's medical cooperation programs. [1]
- In Tunisia, protesters rallied against President Kais Saied's policies and demanded the release of detained political figures, with the support of the Tunisian labor union and various political factions. [1]
[1] (Link to news article or source for reference)
