This May Day, we’re flexing our economic power as workers, students, and everyday people to send a clear message to the Trump regime: we will not do business as usual while they trample our rights, terrorize our communities, and drag us into a senseless war in Iran.
Note: A core principle behind all May Day events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. No weapons are permitted under any circumstances.
Why We’re Taking Action
On May Day, a coalition of over 200 organizations is calling for a national economic day of action. No work. No school. No shopping. Rallies, marches, and non-violent disruptions in cities across the country.
Showing up matters. We’ve proved that, and we’ll keep proving that. But showing up alone is not enough to stop people who are breaking every rule. We need to show them we have leverage, not just numbers.
The Strategy
This type of action is new for Indivisible—our national movement has never done this type of economic disruption before. But we need to be prepared to do it in the future.
We know that Trump and his cronies are going to try to sabotage the election. And when that happens, it won’t be enough to pull from our regular playbook. We will need to demonstrate a widespread backlash that lets Trump know that we won’t just go along while he tries to rig our democracy.
So we’re taking inspiration from the powerful organizing in Minnesota. When ICE began terrorizing the Twin Cities they didn’t just march, they disrupted. Hundreds of businesses shut their doors. Tens of thousands of people did not go to work or school and refused to spend any money. They made it clear they would not continue business as usual while ICE brutalized their neighbors.
And May Day offers us an opportunity to test our movement’s ability to do nonviolent, economic disruption. We need to gauge our strength, identify what power we still need to build, and implement a collective plan to get there. We can’t wait to figure this out after Trump has stolen an election–that work must happen now, before it’s too late.
Host or Join an Event
May Day is about solidarity–showing up on May 1st by attending an event, or taking the power into your own hands and hosting an event yourself, shows that solidarity to your community and those around you. Whether you’re joining an event near you, or hosting your own, join others in saying business as usual isn’t an option. When you show up to a march, a rally, or a creative action on a workday, you’re already making your economic power felt. The event is where your choice shifts from being individual to something your community can see and join.
Find what’s already happening in your area and show up with friends and allies. If there isn’t an event near you yet, host your own! Some of the most powerful actions have been put together by a few people with a location and a plan. What matters is that your community sees people stepping up and stepping out. Use May Day Strong’s host toolkit to find guidance on how to host an event in your area, or their map to find a local event near you!
🔎 Find a local event to join your community in rejecting business as usual on May Day.
📌Register your event on Mobilize so others in your area can join. You can also check if there’s already an event planned near you—more people means more power. Remember to use an email without personally identifying information when hosting an event.
Note: Following our safety best practices, please do not include your email address or personal contact information on the event page.
Register your event on Mobilize so others in your area can join. You can also check if there’s already an event planned near you—more people means more power. Remember to use an email without personally identifying information when hosting an event.
Note: Following our safety best practices, please do not include your email address or personal contact information on the event page.
No Work, No School, No Shopping
This May Day, we’re disengaging from the system that isn’t working for us–a system that’s propping up Trump’s regime.
That’s why we are also calling for May Day to be a day of no work, no school, and no shopping.*
No Work
Don’t go to work–or walk out—to attend a local May Day event. Let your employer know that you aren’t at work because you’re joining together with everyday people across the country to build power and stand up to Trump and his billionaire buddies.
No School
Skip school—or stage a walk out—to attend a local May Day event. Talk to your friends and teachers about May Day and encourage them to join you!
No Shopping
Don’t spend any money on May Day. Plan ahead so you have everything you need on the day of, so you aren’t caught needing to buy something at the last minute.
We have economic power and this is our chance to flex it. We’re putting Trump on notice—we refuse to go along with his authoritarian power grab.
Can’t Do It All? Do What You Can!
If you can join an event and fully wield your economic power on that day–that’s great. But we understand that not everyone’s circumstances will allow them to participate fully. And that’s okay—participate to the level that makes sense for you. The most important thing is that you take action in some way on May 1st and then continue to build towards even bigger action in the future.
So if you’re a firefighter who can’t walk out of work and leave a critical emergency service understaffed, maybe you attend a May Day event before going in for your shift at the fire station.
If missing Friday’s paycheck means you’d be short on rent this month, maybe you participate by not spending any money on Friday.
If you’re waiting for your Friday paycheck to be able to buy the food you need for dinner, maybe you grocery shop at a small, local market rather than a big corporation.
Those are all ways to still cause economic disruption, even if you aren’t able to do a full walkout. But it only works if we’re all taking action together, no matter how big or small.
*If you are under 18 years old, you must get a parent or guardian’s permission to participate in these activities.
