The streets of the country's most populous cities, such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Washington, served as the stage for protesters to demand better working conditions and recognition for their contributions—as well as those of millions of undocumented migrants—to the national economy in a call to action dubbed "May Day Strong."

"We can no longer remain invisible; we need to be heard and recognized. Politicians and the companies themselves must understand that without our labor, this country does not move forward," Sandra Liliana Barrera, a member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), told EFE.

This is the first time Barrera has attended a May Day march. she claims that frustration over "what is happening" in the United States drove her to demonstrate alongside her daughter, a recent anthropology graduate who has been unable to find employment.

"The situation is getting harder and harder; look at the prices of gasoline and food. We can't take it anymore. This is the moment to send a strong message," added the worker, who joined the march in Los Angeles.

Similar discontent was expressed by Angie Moreno, spokesperson for Chicago Jobs with Justice, one of the organizations that convened the march in that city, which expected more than 20,000 people.

"Solidarity must be with the workers over corporate greed. We must understand that the billionaires are few, whereas we are many, and if we unite, we are stronger," the activist warned EFE.

The Economic Boycott
The call for this day—spanning cities from coast to coast—also included a petition to "not go to school, not work, and not consume." This type of pressure has already shown results in movements like the one in Minneapolis against the Target corporation last January, following immigration raids that left two U.S. citizens dead at the hands of federal agents.

Claims against specific companies, such as Amazon, were also heard in New York City this Friday.

These demonstrations follow protests against U.S. President Donald Trump, convened under the slogan "No Kings," which have gathered millions of people nationwide since last year, according to data from organizers.

In Defense of Immigrants
In Houston, Texas, the anger was also audible. Alfredo Hernández, a healthcare worker, told EFE he is tired of the U.S. government spending money on wars and perusing undocumented workers "instead of investing it in improving" the conditions of those living in the country.

Although the defense of immigrants did not occupy the primary focus of the demonstrations as in previous years, requests to fight for this cause and stop the abuses of immigration authorities were present. Throughout the country, banners with the message "ICE OUT" (Immigration and Customs Enforcement Out) were visible.

Angélica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), insisted in her message in Los Angeles that the failed U.S. immigration system sits at the center of many political and economic challenges, affecting working families and the cost of living regardless of political affiliation.

"May Day is more than a celebration of unity and resilience: it is a call to action. Because when we organize, when we mobilize, when we stand shoulder to shoulder, we are unstoppable and we can stop everything in the name of justice," she declared.