May Day protests were held around Chicago, around the nation and around the world Thursday.

Typically, May Day rallies focus on honoring organized labor and workers' rights. Celebrated on May 1, May Day, or International Workers Day, commemorates the work of unions and labor groups around the world.

It has its origins in Chicago, and a march for an eight-hour workday on May 1, 1886, that was followed by a violent clash between demonstrators and police at Haymarket Square in what would now be called the West Loop three days later.

But this year in the U.S., 139 years later, activists also used the day as a call to action against President Trump's policies.

"Solidarity," said Alberto Barraza of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trade. "That's the biggest thing. That's the theme of today."

The rally in downtown Chicago drew a diverse crowd representing numerous interests.

"You can see we have Palestinian organizations, Black organizations, workers' organizations, and so much more all together," said Alithia Zamantakis of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

LGBTQ communities, civil liberties groups, and higher education were also all represented. Each of these groups said they turned out because they feel their community is under attack.

"There is growing recognition that what the Trump administration is trying to do is isolate us from each other. 'Immigrants are the problem. Trans people are the problem. College professors are the problem. The Palestine movement is the problem,'" said Gabriel Winant, an assistant, professor of history at the University of Chicago who marched with American Association of University Professors. "And if we let that happen, then they will pick us off one by one."

Arise Chicago, a member-based workers' rights organization, rallied hundreds of their members with a line of butterflies. The butterflies symbolized migration, since they know no borders.

Arise Chicago said its immigrant worker members were considered essential in the pandemic.

"They were the ones who keep this economy going, but now suddenly, you know, they became the enemy — the enemy of the country," said Margarita Klein of Arise Chicago. "So it is a double standard."

Protesters gathered in Union Park on the Near West Side for a rally that started at 9 a.m. There was a multi-faith prayer service followed by speakers.

Activists were seen signing together, holding signs, and holding posters of monarch butterflies, which symbolize migration and are a species that knows no borders

"I think it just says how much our freedoms are intertwined," said Julie. Allpow of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. "You know none of us are free until we are all free."

Attendees said the rallies were not only about workers' rights but also standing against the "Trump/Musk agenda."

"We're gathered as faith leaders and clergy from every tradition around Chicago on May Day, International Workers Day, to demand justice for immigrants, justice for workers in Chicago, to say no to deportations, no to exploitation of workers, no to attacks on workers, and yes to the dignity of every community in Chicago that works and faith communities are united in sharing that message," organizer Ethan Aronson said. 

At noon, demonstrators marched from Union Park to Grant Park downtown. 

People started trickling in a little slower at the start of the protest because of the rain, but the crowd grew to 2,000 strong as they headed toward downtown. There, they gathered at the Petrillo Music Shell for a rally, entertainment, and speakers.

There was also a rally in Evanston Thursday, led by the grassroots initiative Indivisible Evanston.

the group said the rally was to honor working people while protesting President Trump's policies. It was held at Fountain Square near Sherman Avenue and Davis Street in downtown Evanston.

There were also be rallies commemorating National Law Day of Action in more than 40 cities nationwide.

Chicago lawyers and concerned citizens gathered to defend the rule of law, judicial independence, and legal integrity. The rally kicked off at noon in Federal Plaza.

There was also an attorney oath reaffirmation ceremony, where legal professionals restated their commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution.