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Far-Left Groups Take Center Stage at Minneapolis May Day Rally
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Communist and socialist groups called for “revolution” at a May Day rally in Minneapolis on Friday, signaling a significant shift in the traditional workers’ rights event that drew over 1,000 demonstrators to the streets.
The rally, organized under the banner “Immigrants Rise! Workers Unite!” by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), brought together an unusual coalition of labor unions, immigrant rights organizations, and explicitly far-left political groups. Many participants carried flags and signs featuring socialist imagery, including the hammer and sickle symbol.
Among the prominent organizations present were the Communist Party USA, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), the Revolutionary Communists of America (RCA), the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Members of the Communist Party USA distributed copies of their newspaper, The Communist, with headlines opposing former President Trump. Throughout the demonstration, protesters carried signs with messages including “F–k ICE,” “Abolish ICE,” “Fight Trump’s Agenda,” “No Kings,” and “Stop the War.”
The rally marks a notable evolution in May Day demonstrations, which have historically focused primarily on labor issues. This year’s event featured explicit calls for wealth redistribution and the seizure of private property alongside traditional labor and immigration concerns.
“We’re calling for down with Trump and down with the Democrats,” said one protester affiliated with the Revolutionary Communists of America, who claimed he was “radicalized” following George Floyd’s death in 2020.
Andy Koch, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, told Fox News Digital that the United States is “run by billionaires” but should instead be “run by working people.” When asked to cite successful socialist systems, Koch pointed to China, saying it’s “doing pretty good right now,” and praised the former Soviet Union for having “done a lot for its people.”
Owen Phernetton, representing the Revolutionary Communists of America, outlined more specific policy goals: “We argue for decreasing the workday to only 20 hours a week without any loss in pay.” His organization supports seizing factories, mines and office spaces to place them “under the ownership of the working class,” and believes billionaire wealth should be “expropriated and put in use for the working class.”
The demonstration attracted political support from several Minneapolis City Council members affiliated with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). Council members Jason Chavez, Elliott Payne, Aurin Chowdhury, Soren Stevenson, Jamal Osman, and Robin Wonsley were present, with some reading a non-binding resolution recognizing May 1 as International Workers Day. During these remarks, one speaker declared “we must abolish ICE,” connecting labor issues with immigration enforcement.
The event occurs against a backdrop of ongoing political mobilization. A Fox News Digital investigation previously identified U.S.-born tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham, who currently resides in China, as a key figure in a network tied to some far-left groups involved in similar protests nationwide. However, demonstrators interviewed in Minneapolis claimed to be either unaware of him or dismissed concerns about outside funding.
Not all observers supported the rally’s messaging. Sedonia Meyers, watching from the sidewalk, described herself as “a very centrist individual” and expressed support for legal immigration processes. “If you want to be a citizen… you should work hard… and do the proper steps,” she said, adding that the U.S. must “vet the people that come into this country” to ensure public safety.
The protesters’ specific demands included rent caps tied to income, a significantly reduced workweek without pay reduction, and wealth redistribution from billionaires. When questioned about failures of rent control in cities like New York, one protester claimed such policies failed because they were not “under workers’ control.”
The march progressed through Minneapolis with high-visibility marshals from protest groups directing the crowd and blocking side streets. Police presence was minimal along most of the route. A marching band provided upbeat music as the diverse crowd, which included indigenous dancers and representatives from multiple causes carrying Palestinian flags and LGBTQ pride imagery, moved through the city.
Earlier in the day, smaller gatherings drew limited turnout, including a union-led rally at Government Plaza that a union leader described as having “no connection to broader protests.”
The demonstration ultimately concluded without major disruption, though the increased presence and prominence of explicitly communist and socialist groups signals a noteworthy evolution in the character of May Day events in the United States.
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14 Comments
While I respect the right to free speech and assembly, the involvement of explicitly communist and socialist groups is troubling. Their ideologies have historically resulted in the oppression of citizens and the erosion of individual liberties.
You raise a fair point. Extremist political views, regardless of their source, should be viewed with caution.
The involvement of communist and socialist organizations at this rally is concerning. While workers’ rights are important, these ideologies have a troubling history of oppression and authoritarianism.
Agreed. Promoting such extreme political views undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the workers’ rights movement.
This rally seems to have strayed far from its original purpose of advocating for workers’ rights. Bringing in such radical leftist groups risks overshadowing legitimate labor concerns and alienating potential supporters.
I share your concern. Maintaining a clear, focused message is crucial for these types of events to be effective.
This is a concerning development. Advocating for revolution is a dangerous path that often leads to violence and upheaval. I hope the organizers will reconsider their approach and focus on constructive, lawful solutions to address grievances.
I agree. Peaceful protest and democratic reform are the best ways to enact change, not calls for revolution.
Promoting communist and socialist ideologies at a workers’ rights event is a concerning development. These philosophies have a long history of oppressing the very people they claim to support.
Well said. Extremist political views have no place in a movement focused on improving the lives of working-class citizens.
It’s unfortunate to see the May Day rally hijacked by radical leftist groups. While the original intent was to advocate for workers’ rights, this event has now taken on a more divisive and confrontational tone.
I share your sentiment. Staying focused on constructive solutions and avoiding inflammatory rhetoric is key to making meaningful progress.
It’s disheartening to see the May Day rally co-opted by extremist elements. While workers deserve fair treatment and representation, calls for revolution are counterproductive and concerning.
I agree. Peaceful, democratic means are the best path forward to address worker grievances and enact positive change.