photo by: Shawn Valverde

Protesters line the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

A nationwide protest on Thursday will take aim at the Trump administration and advocate for workers’ rights, economic justice and social equality.

In Lawrence, the 2025 May Day protest, which will also advocate for immigrant justice, will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets, from where protesters will march to City Hall, across to Robinson Park, then back through downtown in a single file. A Facebook post from Iris Craver said that if people do not want to make the walk, they can stick to the Ninth and Mass. intersection, and they should remember that a peaceful gathering is intended.

The political activist organization 50501 – or 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement – is helping coordinate the May 1 rallies across the country. As the Journal-World reported, many people gathered in February in support of the movement with the goal to hold anti-Trump protests at all 50 state Capitols.

According to May Day’s website, the Trump administration and Elon Musk are cutting funding for schools, promoting the privatization of public services, undermining labor unions and instilling fear in immigrant families through targeted actions. Organizers are “demanding a country that puts families over their fortunes – public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds (and) housing over homelessness,” the website said.

In addition to Lawrence, five other May Day protests are scheduled for Kansas Thursday, including in Topeka, Wichita, Olathe, Hiawatha and Pittsburg.