Sights and Sounds as protesters gather around the Valley for May Day

PHOENIX — People gathered around the Valley on Friday for May Day protests, which were meant to speak out against the government putting billionaires before workers.

Protesters had three goals:

1. “Tax the rich: our families before their fortunes.”
2. No ICE. No war.
3. “Expand democracy, not corporate power: hands off our vote.”

There were more than 3,000 planned events nationwide and 22 in the Grand Canyon state, including 10 across the Valley.

Dozens of protesters gathered in Tempe at Hayden Lawn on the Arizona State University campus, including student organizer Kyah Antolos. She told KTAR News 92.3 FM the reason she took part in the national day of action was to emphasize the public’s power to fight back against issues like the war in Iran.

Student organizer Kyah Antolos joined dozens of demonstrators in Tempe for May Day protests, stressing the need to recognize the public’s power to fight back against issues like the war in Iran.

Footage by @balin_om pic.twitter.com/RhqY5nSGPT

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) May 2, 2026

Jacob Chansley, who is more widely known as the Q Anon shaman, said he was there to make it clear where he stands, which is no longer with President Donald Trump or the Trump administration.

Dozens of people were marching in Tempe as part of May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day, protests on Friday afternoon.

One of them was Jacob Chansley, more widely known as the Q Anon shaman, who told @balin_om he showed up to make it clear that Donald Trump and the… pic.twitter.com/0P5FOdKneB

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) May 1, 2026

There were a few hundred demonstrators in downtown Phoenix at Margaret T. Hance Park, which was expected to be the largest gathering of the day.

Lexsiri Coronado, an organizer with Organized Powers in Number, simplified the purpose of the movement to being the rich vs. the poor.

“We are the reason why society runs. And so, we have to realize that power and that any day we’re the ones that can shut it down,” Coronado told KTAR News 92.3 FM. 

Lexsiri Coronado, an organizer with Organized Power in Numbers, simplified the purpose of the May Day protests to being the Rich vs. Poor. Coronado emphasized that the working class maintain cities and put food on the table while the rich benefit.

Footage by @balin_om pic.twitter.com/wFiPw7QCgo

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) May 2, 2026

Overall, activists were fighting for affordable housing, proper healthcare, safer communities and equality, which is exactly why one Mesa woman said she showed up.

“We are here because we want things to get better, and it’s possible.”

A Mesa woman said she showed up to the May Day demonstration in downtown Phoenix at Margaret T. Hance Park to fight for affordable housing and healthcare for everyone.

📹: @balin_om pic.twitter.com/y6WHpLa0A8

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) May 2, 2026

May Day originated in the 1880s when the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions in the U.S. fought for eight hours to function as a legal day’s work. The movement then became known as International Workers’ Day.

The day still holds that purpose, but has grown to become a day where people across the country can fight for their rights and, more recently, protest the state of the current regime.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Balin Overstolz-McNair and Douglas Santo contributed to this report. 

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