- Protesters gathered in Omaha for International Workers Day, voicing concerns about tariffs, union rights, and federal funding cuts.
- Speakers emphasized the impact of economic challenges on workers and the importance of union solidarity to negotiate better wages.
- Organizer Linda Jensen expressed satisfaction with the turnout, highlighting President Trump as a perceived threat to unions and low-income families.
On Thursday, protesters formed a line that stretched from Memorial Park to the University of Nebraska Omaha in honor of International Workers Day. There was a lot of honking as demonstrators expressed their support for tariffs, union rights, and concerns about federal budget cuts.
KMTV asked protesters why they came to the event.
“Right now, the biggest concern I have is immigration and how immigrants are being treated, and the huge loss it is for our country,” said Cindy Everson, a Republican.
“I want to see Trump gone and somebody else take his place with some sense,” said David Wilhelm.
Hundreds of protests were held across the United States on May Day, a day dedicated to standing in solidarity with labor unions. Previous May Days have highlighted the fight for union rights and the eight-hour workday.
Linda Jensen, founder and organizer of the Like Minded Friends organization, told KMTV that President Trump poses a threat to union rights, immigrants, and low-income families.
“When unions negotiate, wages rise for everyone else because non-unionized companies must pay competitive wages. “We want all of our unions to get back on track and become what they have always been—a staple of our country,” Jensen said.
“People are feeling the economic effects, correct? “The prices of groceries, bills, and everything else,” added another protester. “The only real power that workers have is the ability to band together and form unions.
When people come together, they have power. We can use the organizational strength of unions to make demands for our workplaces and mitigate the effects of the economic crisis by securing better pay for workers.”
Jensen was pleased with the turnout, noting that protesters lined Dodge Street from Memorial Park to Crossroads.