Protesters in Toms River rally against Trump policies: ‘Hands Off’
Demonstrators gathered in front of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs building on Hooper Avenue to express their concerns about Trump’s policies.
Citizens are once again taking to the streets this week in New Jersey and across the nation for May Day Strong protests, decrying what they call corrupt, lawless and predatory politics from President Donald Trump and billionaire backers like Elon Musk.
Over 1,000 May Day 2025 protests are planned by local organizations across the U.S., with most being held Thursday, May 1 — historically known as May Day — and others on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. Eighteen have been planned in New Jersey.
May Day has several meanings and origins, but in several countries, it commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement.
The protests are organized by the 50501 Movement, a grassroots initiative born on social media that represents 50 protests, 50 states, one day, and urges citizen to take part in nonviolent marches, rallies, protests and walk-ins in what is being called a National Day of Action.
Here’s what to know about why people are gathering for “May Day” protests, and what to know about the rallies in New Jersey.
What are the May Day 2025 rallies? Details on National Day of Action protests
The events are dubbed May Day 2025 and May Day Strong, are using the hashtag #MayDayStrong and are considered a National Day of Action that is backed by a coalition of over 250 local organizations. Groups of citizens will be marching on the streets, rallying in communities with speakers, protesting on the local levels at congressional offices or hanging banners and staging walk-ins in front of schools prior to the school day beginning.
Protests on May Day are centered around the working class and the grave impacts they say the Trump administration and billionaire profiters have on wages, benefits and workers’ dignity. The day is to honor and stand up for workers who organizers say are under attack by an administration that is defunding schools, privatizing public services, attacking unions and targeting immigrant families with fear and violence.”
“We are reclaiming our power from corporate elites, and we will not be intimidated by Trump, Musk, or their billionaire backers,” organizers wrote. “They’ve ruled for too long. Their time is up. And May Day is just the beginning.”
May Day 2025 signs, topics
Organizers will be holding signs and chanting as they march across U.S. cities on Thursday, May 1, and this weekend. Protestors are demanding a world where every family has housing, healthcare, fair wages, union protection and safety, regardless of race, zip code or immigration status. According to organizers, here are the demands:
- Stop the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration
- Protect and defend Medicare, Social Security and other programs
- Fully funded schools, healthcare and housing for all
- Stop the attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, and other communities
- Invest in communities not wars
Here are some signs that may be visible:
- Musk or us
- Benefits over billionaires
- Democracy not destruction
- Stop the billionaire takeover
- We are the many. They are the few.
Where is NJ are there May Day 2025 protests?
There were 18 protests in New Jersey as of Monday that continued to grow at the time of writing. Most protests are on May 1, with one on May 3 and another on May 4.
May 1 protests:
- Bloomfield: Bloomfield Avenue and Municipal Plaza, 3 p.m.
- Denville: Gazebo next to Denville Museum, 6 p.m.
- Glassboro: William Dalton Drive and Delsea Drive, 5 p.m.
- Haledon: America Labor Museum, 7 p.m.
- Newark (car caravan picket): Port Newark, 12:30 p.m.
- Nutley: Yanticaw Park, 12 p.m.
- Ocean City: Central Avenue, 12 p.m.
- Passaic: Sign-up for address, 4 p.m.
- Phillipsburg: Sign-up for address, 5 p.m.
- Pleasantville: Billows Electric Supply, 5 p.m.
- Princeton: Fountain of Freedom, 6 p.m.
- Rahway: Sign-up for address, 5 p.m.
- Somerset: Franklin Township Municipal Complex, 6 p.m.
- Trenton: World War II Memorial, 11 a.m.
- Vineland: Sign-up for address, 3 p.m.
- West Caldwell: Crane Park, 4 p.m.
May 3 protest:
- Newton: Newton Green, 1 p.m.
May 4 protest:
- Princeton: Hinds Plaza, 1:30 p.m.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
