May Day protest

On Thursday, May 1, the corner of Walnut Avenue and Paseo Padre Parkway marked the site of Fremont’s participation in the May Day National Day of Action protest. The protest was one of thousands around the nation where protestors stood together to fight for working people, public schools and human rights in the midst of the Trump administration.

The event comes almost a month after the “Hands off” demonstration on April 5, where protesters spoke out against the Trump administration’s government overreach. 

Although the May Day protest was held on a weekday at noon, unlike the “Hands off our Democracy” demonstration which was on a Saturday, hundreds still took to the streets holding signs and chanting “We are the people” and “We want democracy.”

There was rarely a quiet moment as many passing drivers honked in support, rolling their windows down and waving to the crowd. Some even waved their own signs out their vehicle’s windows as they drove down the street.

Linda Pearson, a retired Niles teacher who held a sign that showed four books representing the Constitution, climate, diversity and education said, “We have to speak out. Even though there’s only so much you can do in a classroom. But you can use your presence.”

Another protester, who shared that her great grandmother was a suffragette, wore a shirt which read, “Vote like your ancestors died for it.” 

Some who joined the Fremont demonstration even traveled from outside the city. “I lived most of my life in Fremont and retired from Fremont Unified, so I have connections here,” said Sue, a Hayward resident. 

Even with the distress that the Trump administration has put on people, the energy of the May Day protest had strangers coming together to create a supportive and positive environment.