Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world rallied Thursday in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump’s agenda from aggressive tariffs that are stoking fears of global economic turmoil to his administration’s immigration crackdowns.

From Paris to Manila, tens of thousands of workers took to the streets on International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, to demand better wages, job protections, and social justice.

The annual event, rooted in the labor movements of the 19th century, took on heightened significance this year amid inflation, rising inequality, and political shifts across the globe.

In France, unions led mass demonstrations opposing President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies, particularly the controversial pension reform that raised the retirement age.

Protesters marched through Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, chanting slogans and carrying banners calling for workers’ rights and social solidarity. Some marches ended in clashes with police, who deployed tear gas to disperse groups of agitators.

Germany saw peaceful rallies across major cities, where unions emphasized solidarity with workers worldwide and condemned the rise of far-right politics. Meanwhile, in Italy, labor groups called for increased job security and stronger protections for gig economy workers.

Across Asia, workers in South Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines gathered in large numbers. In Manila, demonstrators criticized the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for failing to address inflation and low wages.

Protesters carried effigies and signs denouncing economic inequality, calling for a living wage and job stability.

In the United States, May Day rallies occurred in cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Labor activists highlighted the growing momentum of unionization efforts in major corporations like Amazon and Starbucks.

However, the protests were also politically charged, with some demonstrators voicing opposition to a potential second term for former President Donald Trump and expressing concerns over the state of democracy and workers’ rights under both major parties.

This year’s global rallies underscored a unifying message: workers everywhere are feeling the strain of economic instability, political polarization, and the ongoing struggle for equitable treatment in a rapidly changing labor landscape.

While the demands varied by country, the overarching themes of fairness, dignity, and justice in the workplace echoed across borders.