SAN ANTONIO, Texas

A small group of left-wing supporters gathered in downtown San Antonio on Friday afternoon to celebrate May Day, also known as International Labor Day. What began as a demonstration for labor rights quickly escalated into a protest against various policies of the Trump administration. Many demonstrators chanted slogans and displayed signs criticizing billionaires, a proposed ICE facility, the U.S. embargo on Cuba, ICE agents, military actions in Iran and Venezuela, and advocating for gay rights.

Breitbart Texas reported that chants were led by members of the San Antonio Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). Before the group marched through a street filled with tourists, several local union leaders addressed the nearly 200 participants, discussing issues surrounding income inequality.

The protest featured members from the PSL, the Brown Berets Chicano militia, and various labor unions, such as the Texas State Employees Union and Regional Communications Workers of America 6186. Some participants donned Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and waved Palestinian flags, while members of the Brown Berets listened to speeches while holding flags depicting Argentine Marxist Che Guevara.

This demonstration was part of a larger, nationwide movement aimed at promoting workers’ rights. Organizers encouraged supporters to join in strikes and economic boycotts to showcase the strength of collective labor efforts. Although the gathering primarily focused on labor issues, demonstrators quickly shifted their attention to a range of other progressive causes.

Signs held by protesters included messages like “Workers have the power to defeat Trump,” “No Cuba si broqueo,” “Worker rights are queer rights,” and “Shut down ICE now.” Many of these signs were printed and supplied by the Party of Socialism and Liberation.

A number of labor unions endorsed the protest, including the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the parent organization of the U.S. Border Patrol, the United Auto Workers Union, Starbucks Workers United, the San Antonio City Employees Union, the Texas Teachers Union, and the Communications Workers of America.

Political organizations backing the San Antonio protests included the Bexar County Democratic Women, the Bexar Democratic Party, and the Democratic Socialists of America. Many of these groups, similar to other significant national protests, receive funding from wealthy backers, such as the Open Society Foundations and Neville Roy Singham from Shanghai, who is thought to have contributed to organizations like PSL and Code Pink.