Lawrence May Day protests target ICE, war and workers’ rights

Two May Day actions will put Lawrence on the move Friday, with organizers framing both demonstrations around workers’ rights, human rights and pressure on local institutions. One march will run through downtown at noon, while a separate University of Kansas rally will begin in the morning at the Ecumenical Campus Ministries.

Downtown, a citywide coalition will gather at Ninth and Massachusetts streets before marching down Massachusetts Street to City Hall at 6 E. Sixth St. and on to Watson Park at Seventh and Kentucky streets for a rally. Speakers scheduled for the Watson Park rally include Rep. Brooklyn Moseley, Lawrence Education Association President Emerson Hoffzales, Jason Maymon with the Lawrence Democratic Socialists, and Mark Jaskowski from the United Academics of KU. Organizers said the action is part of the national May Day Strong movement and urged people to carry signs reading, “Workers Over Billionaires, No ICE. No war. Protect Trans Rights, Hands off our vote.”

The downtown event will land on May 1, known as International Workers’ Day, when workers, students and families across the country are planning strikes and demonstrations under the refrain, “No work, no school, no spending.” In Lawrence, organizers said the protest will also take a stand against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and war, while publicly backing transgender rights.

At KU, the separate demonstration will begin at 9:45 a.m. on the lawn of the Ecumenical Campus Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave. From there, participants will march to Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., where opening speeches are scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Demonstrations and conversations will follow around 11:45 a.m., before the group disperses back to ECM by 12:30 p.m. Solidarity Fest will then run from 1 to 4 p.m., with organizers saying the gathering is meant to connect people with leftist organizations around Lawrence.

The KU action comes after a March 2026 vote of no confidence in Chancellor Doug Girod’s leadership. Nearly 80% of the 2,012 survey responses expressed no confidence in Girod and KU Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitt, with faculty and staff leaders pointing to concerns about finances and transparency. Girod later defended recent budget decisions and called for unity in the KU community.

Organizers also noted that public employees are not allowed to strike in Kansas, including GTA’s, faculty and student employees, though other students can take part.