This year, International Workers Day (May Day) came as the economic consequences of imperialist war on Iran are hitting workers all over the world. U.S. imperialism, in a state of historic weakness, continues to lash out from the Middle East to Latin America where president Trump and his far-right regional allies, from Javier Milei to Jose Antonio Kast, are gutting workers rights and environmental protections.
In the United States, Trump is waging a war on immigrant workers, as he also attacks women, LGBTQ+ people, and the movement for Palestine. Other imperialist countries, from Germany to Japan, are ramping up militarism and cracking down on workers and young people who have bravely taken to the streets against the preparations for war.
In short, the international landscape this May Day was one encompassing the total barbarity of a capitalist system in crisis, begging for intervention of the international working class. Workers around the world answered that call.
People across the world kicked off May Day with large marches and protests as many workers grapple with rising energy costs and shrinking purchasing power tied to the Iran war.
Also known as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day, the holiday highlights the struggles and… pic.twitter.com/ay56m4sW7M— The Associated Press (@AP) May 1, 2026
“We are not going to give anything away, we are going to fight on all fronts,” Argentinian congresswoman and Trotskyist, Myriam Bregman declared to tens of thousands who filled a stadium in Buenos Aires on May Day. The event, organized by Left Voice’s sister group, the PTS (Party of Socialist Workers), comes as polls of the political landscape in Argentina show that Bregman is the most popular political figure in Argentina. Her PTS comrades Nico del Cano and Christian “Chipi” Castillo are also rising in popularity.
Actazo internacionalista del @PTSarg @Fte_Izquierda en Ferro con @myriambregman y @NicolasdelCano, y actos en Rosario, Santa Fe, San Lorenzo y V. Constitución. La Izquierda sale a ganar fuerza social y plantea construir desde abajo un gran partido de la nueva clase trabajadora. pic.twitter.com/oWzm4U9DtG
— Octavio Crivaro (@OctavioCrivaro) May 1, 2026
In neighboring Chile, where the Far Right just recently took power and has wasted no time attacking workers, protesters braved water cannons and tear gas, burned American flags, and showed solidarity with the Palestinian people. Rejections of U.S. interference in Latin America were also seen in Ecuador, another country where the far-right government has been aligning with U.S. imperialism, even bringing in U.S. troops despite widespread rejection from the Ecuadorian people.
May 1, 2025 – May Day protesters in Santiago, Chile, battled riot police, and burned US flags in the street in solidarity with the Palestinian people https://t.co/0RTHTDpbPL pic.twitter.com/NOh1t6HoMI
— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) May 1, 2026
Consignas en contra de la injerencia gringa en la región estuvieron presentes en marcha #1demayo pic.twitter.com/3hsDO8W3kD
— Wambra Medio Comunitarioᅠ (@wambraEc) May 1, 2026
Cuba is facing the greatest imperialist threat in Latin America, as Trump starves the island nation of oil and threatens a military intervention. Cuban people took to the streets in a show of force against imperialism. While the country’s ruling bureaucracy uses May Day to launder its reputation — even as it paves the way for capitalist restoration — it is still important that the workers and popular classes of Cuba showed their willingness to defend the remaining gains of the 1959 revolution.
May Day in Cuba. pic.twitter.com/JYP47hUZ9F
— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) May 1, 2026
Within the heart of imperialism, the United States experienced the largest May Day in decades, with education workers at the forefront of massive marches in several different cities including New York, Chicago, and Minneapolis. In North Carolina, teachers went even further, organizing a statewide sickout. Left Voice marched with the demands: Full rights for all immigrants! Defeat U.S. imperialism and Israel’s war on Iran! Hands off Cuba, oil for Cuba now! And CUNY must reinstate the Fired Fourth!
Immense cortège de Révolution Permanente pour ce 1er mai à Paris. Venez militer à nos côtés pour renforcer la gauche anti-impérialiste, communiste et révolutionnaire.
“Troupes impérialistes hors du Moyen-Orient. Pour la défaite des Etats-Unis et d’Israël !”
"Pas une vie, pas… pic.twitter.com/DogyXmXrHP— Anasse Kazib (@AnasseKazib) May 1, 2026
In France, Left Voice’s sister group Révolution Permanente organized a strong contingent in Paris with the demands: Imperialist troops out of the Middle East. For the defeat of the United States and Israel! Not one life, not one euro for their wars! Neither their profits nor their wars. Lower prices, raise wages!
Other cities throughout France saw thousands take to the streets as well. There were marches against militarism and in solidarity with Palestine throughout Europe, including in the Spanish State and Germany, the latter seeing one of its largest demonstrations in years.
Enorme movilización del 1º de Mayo Interseccional y combativo contra la guerra y el imperialismo.
Por un 1° de mayo internacionalista, contra la guerra imperialista y el rearme: coordinar las luchas, por una alternativa socialista y revolucionaria desde abajo pic.twitter.com/rfOknPA0At
— IzquierdaDiario.es (@iDiarioES) May 1, 2026
Berlin was full with pro-Palestine chants on the 1 May, one of the largest in years pic.twitter.com/kTniyndyOo
— James Jackson (@derJamesJackson) May 2, 2026
From Lisbon to Seoul, Istanbul to Colombo, this May Day workers refused to be silent as the imperialists prepare for news wars, raise fuel prices to make workers pay for the capitalist crises, and tell us that we can’t expect a better world. Workers know that we have a world to win.
The post Workers Around the World Rejected War, Genocide, and Austerity This May Day appeared first on Left Voice.
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