A rally and march for May Day is expected to lead to some traffic and road closures in parts of Chicago Friday.
The May Day Rally & March is set to begin at 1 p.m. in Chicago’s Union Park. The rally is scheduled to last for an hour before the group marches from Union Park to Daley Plaza, according to Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication.
The group is expected to travel from Washington Street to Racine Avenue to Jackson Boulevard to Halsted Street and back to Washington Street.
OEMC warned residents of potential delays due to the event.
“There will be an increased police presence to ensure all those exercising their First Amendment rights can do so safely,” the department said. “Additional officers will also be present to maintain public safety for those living, working and visiting in the area of any demonstration.”
Large crowds are expected with some students and staff from Chicago Public Schools participating. In the past, protests and rallies in Chicago have blocked streets and led to traffic impacts.
The rallies come as the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS agreed to declare May 1 a “Day of Civic Action,” with dozens of schools expected to participate in events, though classes will remain in session.
What is May Day?
According to a history compiled by UCLA, “May Day” stems from the labor movement that blossomed in the late 1800s, with workers trying to reduce their work hours from up to 20 hours a day to eight hours a day.oa powerful union established May 1, 1886 as a day for a general strike to push for the eight-hour work day.
Four years later, May Day, or “International Workers Day,” was observed around the world for the first time.
