Photos: May Day protest in Tucson draws thousands
Thousands took to the streets to protest the Trump administration as part of a National Day of Action, May 1, 2025. More than 20 local groups organized the march in conjunction with mass gatherings across the country and Arizona.
Protestors begin to gather along 10th Avenue outside the Southside Presbyterian Church for a National Day of Action march, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025. Thousands took to the streets for a route that wound through Tucson and South Tucson and closed down streets for about two hours. More than 20 groups organized the march to protest the Trump administration and it’s policies.
John Booth stands in the parking lot of the Southside Presbyterian Church with his U.S. flag while waiting for the start of the part of the National Day of Action march, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025. Marches and protests took place across the country and Arizona, speaking out against the Trump administration.
Thousands spill onto 22nd Street, shutting down rush hour traffic as they take part in National Day of Action protests, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025. The march took about two hours and closed 22nd Street, 4th Avenue, 29th Street and 10th Avenue to motor traffic. Units from the Tucson and South Tucson police departments escorted the throng on their route.
A woman, and her sign, marches well ahead of the vanguard of thousands of protestors taking part in the National Day of Action along 29th Street, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025.
A participant holds holds her message on her head while waiting outside the Southside Presbyterian Church for the start of the evening’s National Day of action march, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025.
Hundreds gather along 10th Avenue, waiting for the signal to begin their National Day of Action march, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025. Thousands eventually showed up for the two hour protest.
The thousands of protestors get fired up by a speech as they prepare to march on the National Day of Action, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025. Organized protests took place across the country in opposition to the current political situation.
The head of the thousands of marchers makes it’s way along 29th Street, taking part in tNational Day of Action protests, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025.
A video crew and others on their cell phones get footage of the thousands of marchers returning to the Southside Presbyterian Church at the end of a two hour protest on the National Day of action, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025.
A protestor and her elaborately adorned trike waits with the others for the word to commence their march for the National Day of Action protests, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025.
One of the organizers get the crowd to chant while helping lead thousands in a protest against the Trump administration on the National Day of Action, Tucson, Ariz., May 1, 2025.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Across the United States, May Day organizers framed this year’s protests as a pushback against what they see as the Trump administration's widespread assault on labor protections, diversity initiatives and federal employees.