May Day in photos

Across Washington state, working people rallied, marched, and built community with one another

WSLC president April Sims speaks at Seattle May Day.

(May 4, 2026) — From Spokane to Seattle, Yakima to Tacoma, working people turned out by the thousands to claim our power on May Day. Labor unions and community organizations united for demonstrations to defend immigrant workers, protect our right to organize, end governmental surveillance, and insist public resources be used to fund public services like childcare and healthcare, not war.

In Seattle, labor rallied in Cal Anderson park before marching through the center of the city to South Lake Union. Labor leaders opened the May Day program, with remarks from Washington State Labor Council president April Sims, SEIU6 President Zenia Javalera, and IAM District 160’s Maximo Londonio, who survived detention inside the Northwest Detention Center and has continued organizing to defend immigrants targeted by inhumane immigration enforcement.

Below is an excerpt of Sims’ remarks, alongside photos and media from May Day actions across Washington state:

Marchers prepare to leave Cal Anderson park in Seattle; among march leaders are WSLC vice presidents Indira Trejo (left) and Gabriel Prawl (second from right) .

“My fellow working people—across every border—today is our day. Every day, our movement fights for the dignity of all working people. You may not be in a union—yet—but this movement fights for you too. Because our struggles are connected. If you work for a paycheck, you are my ally. My sibling. My comrade.”

May Day marchers in Tacoma. Photo: Tacoma Indivisible

“May Day was born right here in the U.S.—in the fight for the eight-hour day. In 1886, that demand was called radical. Workers were beaten. Workers were killed. Bosses—and the politicians they owned—used violence to try to crush worker power.”

SEIU 775 members and president Sterling Harders (third from right) in Seattle.

“It didn’t work then. It won’t work now. Because it has always been the same fight: working people vs. the billionaires and the politicians who serve them.”

Maximo Londonio, an IAM member who survived detention at the NW Detention Center, speaks at the Seattle May Day rally.

“They don’t care about our rights. Our dignity. Our humanity. They want our labor, our time, our lives—cheap. They want us exhausted. Divided. Powerless. But look around. Do we look powerless? No!”

Members of UFCW 3000 march in Seattle.

“When we are united, we are unstoppable.”

Marchers in Seattle.

“Labor built power long before any law recognized us. Our power doesn’t come from politicians. It comes from us. From our communities. From our solidarity.”

Members of SEIU6 at Cal Anderson park calling for an end to deportation flights.

“We know what is right. We know what is just. And we are not backing down.”

Labor & community groups march in Yakima on May Day. 

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