Millions of street workers looking for rights: International Labor Day is celebrated all over the world

Thousands of people took to the streets of Tokyo today with the sounds of traditional drums to celebrate May Day, International Labor Day, celebrated today around the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

This holiday marks the struggles and achievements of workers and the workers’ movement.

Thousands of people are expected to take part in protest marches across the United States, including in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.

In the Japanese capital, Tokyo, Junko Kuramochi, a member of a group of mothers who took to the streets of Tokyo, said workers’ rights must be recognized so that their children can live with hope.

US organizers said their message this year is to combat US President Donald Trump’s anti -dimensional and anti -diversity policies.

Construction worker Tadashi Ito said he was concerned about the possible increase in the price of imported raw materials in the coming months.

« Everyone is fighting for work, so contracts tend to go where wages are the lowest, » he said, adding that workers in Japan think peace is in the first place and hope Trump will eradicate conflicts and inequality.

In Indonesia, President Prabovo Subianto welcomed thousands of workers gathered at Jakarta National Park.

« The government I lead will work as hard as possible to eliminate Poverty in Indonesia, » Subiano told the crowd.

About 200,000 Indonesian workers are expected to participate in the marches for May 1st in the country, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, said Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, Said Iqbal.

They demand an increase in wages and protection of domestic workers and workers immigrants abroad.

In Taiwan, about 2,500 union members representing more sectors, from fishing to telecommunications, took to the streets of the capital Taipei, carrying flags and demanding better working conditions.

In Japan, the demands of the march participants range from higher salaries, gender equality, health care, to reduce military spending and help for earthquake victims. They also demanded a ceasefire in Gaza and the end of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

– Workers around the world unite. May 1st – chanted the crowd in Japan.

One of the biggest gatherings for International Labor Day this year in Los Angeles is expected, and a banner in that city concisely conveyed today’s message: « One fight, one battle, workers unite. »

– We are bringing the fight against billionaires and politicians trying to share us with fear and lies. We know the truth, the attack on immigrants workers is an attack on all workers – said April Verett, president of the International Service Workers’ Union, which represents two million workers.

More than 150 members of left -wing parties, unions and youth organizations were detained in raids on Tuesday and Wednesday in major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, in front of demonstrations for May 1st, Turkish media reported.

One of the reasons for police operations in Istanbul is that workers and young people want to celebrate May 1st at Taksim Square.

Since 2013, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has closed this historically important working class square to prevent demonstrations for May Day.