On May 1, 2026, community members will protest, march, and take action across the country and here in Michigan. International Workers’ Day, commonly known as May Day, commemorates the historic struggle for an eight-hour workday and the broader fight for fair working conditions, inspired by events such as the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886.
As national concerns grow over rising prices, international tensions, immigration enforcement actions, and the Trump administration’s attacks on public programs, this year’s theme is “Workers Over Billionaires,” with calls for no school. No work. No shopping. To reject business as usual.
Here’s a roundup of May Day protests, marches, gatherings, and mutual aid drives in Michigan:
May Day in Detroit
Thousands expected to gather in Detroit for a mass May Day rally hosted by Metro Detroit unions.
“May Day serves as both a day of recognition and protest, where we come together to advocate for workers’ rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions around the world,” Metro Detroit AFL-CIO President Daryl Newman said in a statement. “That’s why we’re gathering in Detroit–the beating heart of Michigan’s labor movement.”
Metro Detroit AFL-CIO: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Detroit, 4-6 p.m.)
Rally outside the Michigan Central Station at Roosevelt Park:
2231 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
The rally will be followed by a May Day march through Detroit.
May Day March Committee: Detroit May Day March (Detroit, 6-7:30 p.m.)
March to the ICE Field Office, then to the McNamara Building, starting at Roosevelt Park:
2231 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
May Day across Michigan
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Adrian, 4-5:30 p.m.)
Rally outside the Old Lenawee County Courthouse:
301 N Main St
Adrian, MI 49221
Bay City Resistance: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Bay City, 6-7:40 p.m.)
Rally outside the Bay County Building:
515 Center Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
Indivisible: May Day-Ice Cream Social-Workers over Billionaires (Escanaba, 2:30-6 p.m.)
A free Ice Cream Social hosted by Delta County Unified at Escanaba Marketplace:
15th St S
Escanaba, MI 49829
Indivisible GLOW: May Day Strong All Day Long (Fenton, 8-10 a.m., 1-3 p.m., 5-7 p.m.)
Rally and bring non-perishable foods, toiletries, and cleaning supplies that will be donated to FARR and other local food pantries. Sign up for location details.
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Fort Gratiot Township, 4:30-6:30 p.m.)
Rally:
4485 24th Ave
Fort Gratiot Township, MI 48059
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Gaylord, 3-5 p.m.)
Rally at the pavilion next to the railroad tracks:
360 W Main St
Gaylord, MI 49735
Movimiento Cosecha GR: International Worker’s Day (Grand Rapids, 12 p.m.)
Join the fight to abolish ICE, to demand effective sanctuary policies, and for the protection, dignity, respect, and rights of all undocumented immigrants.
Rally at Garfield Park:
250 Burton St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Grand Rapids, 4:30-6 p.m.)
Protests on bridges across Grand Rapids:
Hall Street at US131
Fuller Avenue at I-196
Veterans Memorial Bridge
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Greenville, 4-5:30 p.m.)
Rally at the intersection of:
Michigan 91 & Michigan 57
Greenville, MI 48838
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Hastings, 4:30-5:30 p.m.)
Rally outside the Barry County Courthouse:
220 W State St
Hastings, MI 49058
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Hillsdale, 12-5 p.m.)
Community event outside the Hillsdale County Courthouse:
29 N Howell St
Hillsdale, MI 49242
SAGE (Stand Against Extremism LivCo): May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Howell, 3:30-5:30 p.m.)
Rally outside the Howell Courthouse Amphitheater:
304 I-96BL
Howell, MI 48843
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Iron River, 4-5 p.m.)
Community Event at US2 behind West Iron District Library:
116 W Genesse
Iron River, MI 49935
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Kochville Township, 3-4 p.m.)
A visibility event focused on corporate targets. Sign up for location details.
AFL-CIO: May Day Means Solidarity (Lansing, 12-1 p.m.)
Rally outside the Michigan state Capitol building:
100 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI 48933
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Lowell, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Visibility event. Sign up for location details.
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Novi, 4-6 p.m.)
Rallies on all four corners:
Grand River Avenue & Novi Road
Novi, MI 48375
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Oak Park, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Rally at the intersection of:
10 Mile Road & Coolidge Highway, SE Corner
Oak Park, MI 48237
May Day Strong & Indivisible Paw Paw: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Paw Paw, 5-6:30 p.m.)
Protests on all four corners downtown:
West Michigan Avenue & South Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw, MI 49079
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (Petoskey, 12-4 p.m.)
Solidarity event and donation drive at Arlington Park:
159 Lewis St
Petoskey, MI 49770
Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo & Just Good People Battle Creek: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires
Visibility Event:
5228 Lovers Ln
Portage, MI 49002
May Day Strong: May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (St. Joseph, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Rally at the intersection of:
Park Street & Main Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Traverse Indivisible: May Day Mutual Aid Picnic (Traverse City, 1-3 p.m.)
A mutual aid picnic and gathering. Traverse Indivisible will be accepting non-perishable food donations for the Grace Episcopal Food Pantry, and new item donations for the Jubilee House Outreach.
Community event at Rotary Square:
203 S Union St
Traverse City, MI 49684
Indivisible: May Day Corner Protest (Ypsilanti, 2-4 p.m.)
Protests at the intersections of:
Michigan Avenue & Huron
Michigan Avenue & Hamilton
Washtenaw & Hewitt
Carpenter & Ellsworth
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