On May 1, protesters gathered before the Fountain of Freedom outside Robertson Hall for Princeton’s annual May Day March. The march, held annually on May 1 to recognize International Workers’ Day, celebrates the contributions of the working class to society and continued efforts to secure labor rights.
The march stopped at the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” in Cannon Green and the Dorothea House on John Street in Princeton before ending at the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, one of the oldest Black Presbyterian churches in the United States.
The protesters were both Princeton students — many of whom are members of Princeton Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) and Students for Prison Education, Abolition and Reform (SPEAR) — and local workers. The student groups coordinated the march with off-campus workers organizations, including Resistencia en Acción and Faith in New Jersey.
The marchers had a list of demands, which served as an acknowledgment of who and what the march was fighting for. They included, “the budget for implementation of the NJ Domestic Workers Bill of Rights from the state governor’s office,” “the closure of the Elizabeth Detention Center and pass the NJ Values Act,” “no more labor abuse or retaliations and the right to organize; No more wage theft”, “a free Palestine!! No more money for genocide, more resources for the working class,” and “a halt to Racism and Hate in our community!! In support of the Black Lives Matter movement.”
As the crowd began to gather, Resistencia en Acción NJ distributed fliers with chants and responses that were used during the march, including “Abolish ICE,” “We are resistance,” and “Without papers, without fear.” At the start of the march, about 100 protestors and seven Public Safety (PSAFE) officers were present.
Before beginning the march, the director and organizer of Resistencia en Acción, Ana Paola Pazmiño, spoke in both English and Spanish.
“We are celebrating 15 years of resistance. The organization started in 2009 with all volunteers, and we are now in the 15th year, so thank you for coming to the annual march,” she said.
The group then crossed Washington Road and began making their way toward Cannon Green. They were led by several marshals donning bright vests, some of whom carried megaphones. Marchers carried signs with messages such as, “We are all immigrants. Stop the hate,” and “Viva Viva Palestina.” As they walked, the group chanted phrases that included, “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go.”
Upon entering Cannon Green, the marchers joined the protesters at the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” to listen to more speakers. The arrival of the May Day marchers was met with applause from protesters.
Viulka De Jesus Cruz ’26, who has attended May Day marches in previous years, found the stop at the encampment to show solidarity with Palestine “particularly moving.”
“It underscored the interconnectedness of struggles for justice across different groups and highlighted the importance of unity in demanding rights and dignity for all,” she said in an interview with The Daily Princetonian.
Speakers at the encampment included Sireen Sawalha, a social studies teacher originally from Kafr Ra’i, Palestine. Sawalha also served as a Delegation Advisor to the Permanent Mission of Jordan to the United Nations.
In 2022, Sawalha garnered controversy for holding a sign at a vigil that memorialized her brother, Iyad Sawalha. Iyad Sawalha was a leader in the Islamic Jihad accused of killing 31 people in attacks on Israeli buses in 2002.
On May Day, Sawalha discussed her family, saying that her 17-year-old brother had been arrested and that her house in Palestine was bombed.
“My dream is that one day me and you will walk free in Palestine,” she said.
SPEAR member Kristin Nagy ’27 also spoke about breaking the Orange Bubble in solidarity with Gaza.
“This student uprising is the beginning of a Princeton University that doesn’t just talk about justice and peace, but truly puts in the work to see it happen,” she said.
Patricia Campos Medina, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, also spoke at the sit-in, saying that she was a “citizen of this country, as an activist, and a labor leader.” Campos Medina also spoke about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza and described it as parallel to her own experiences as a survivor of the El Salvadoran civil war. She called May Day a celebration of the struggle of workers and the struggle of peace.
“The fight to have a union is the same fight to get peace. It’s time to hold Israel accountable,” she said.
Campos Medina’s statements on unions come as both postdoctoral researchers and graduate students are scheduled to vote on unionization on May 8 and 9, and then May 13 and 14 respectively. Calls for unionization of graduate students were especially prominent at last year’s May Day March.
Once the speeches at the encampment concluded, the group continued its march through FitzRandolph Gate and down Witherspoon Street. Many protesters at the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” joined the May Day March, leading the march to double in size. Both PSAFE and the Princeton Police Department were present as the marchers crossed through the gate.
Around the Hulfish Art Gallery, an exchange of words occurred between the protesters and a counterprotester who stood on a balcony, who hung the flag of Israel from a window. The exchange lasted several minutes before the marshals pressed the protesters to keep walking.
The march continued to Dorothea’s House, which once served as a center for Italian immigrants. Today, the house serves as a cultural site that holds events. The marchers gathered before the front steps as more speeches began. One speaker was Larry Hamm ’78, also a U.S. Senate candidate. His speech included demands to close the Elizabeth Detention Center, and increase the federal minimum wage.
“You can’t rent an apartment anywhere in the United States for $7.25 an hour,” he said. “Congress should immediately raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $18 an hour,” he added.
The march made the final leg of its journey to Witherspoon Church, where dances and festivities were held. The march ended with concluding speeches, thanking the organizers and participants as people began to file into the church.
At the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” Campos Medina encouraged the protesters to continue.
“One day longer, one day stronger,” she said.
Isabella Dail is a News contributor and head editor for The Prospect for the ‘Prince.’
Justus Wilhoit is a senior News writer and an assistant Audience editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
‘How to Prosecute Genocide?’ panel hosted by Lichtenstein Institute for Self-Determination
Leela HenslerProfessor Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Anoush Baghdassarian, who currently serves as a clerk on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, discussed the ICC’s role in securing justice for victims of genocide on a global scale at a Lichtenstein Institute for Self-Determination (LISD) panel.
Professor Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Anoush Baghdassarian, who currently serves as a clerk on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, discussed the ICC’s role in securing justice for victims of genocide on a global scale at a Lichtenstein Institute for Self-Determination (LISD) panel.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts speaks on trust in institutions
Sena Chang and Leela HenslerKevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, joined 50 community members in Robertson 001 for a conversation spanning declining government trust, the newly-announced Trump cabinet, and politics on college campuses. The event, titled “Should We Burn It All? A Blueprint for America’s Institutions,” was hosted by the American Whig-Cliosophic Society and moderated by Jaden Stewart ’26.
Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, joined 50 community members in Robertson 001 for a conversation spanning declining government trust, the newly-announced Trump cabinet, and politics on college campuses. The event, titled “Should We Burn It All? A Blueprint for America’s Institutions,” was hosted by the American Whig-Cliosophic Society and moderated by Jaden Stewart ’26.
Staff Picks: Men’s Soccer vs. Akron NCAA Tournament
Hayk Yengibaryan and Bryant FigueroaAfter winning the Ivy League tournament, the Tigers head to Akron, Ohio to take on the Zips in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Daily Princetonian Sports staff gives their prediction ahead of the match.
After winning the Ivy League tournament, the Tigers head to Akron, Ohio to take on the Zips in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Daily Princetonian Sports staff gives their prediction ahead of the match.
