Lanny Lowry - Community Voice
May 9, 2025
May Day Rally & March in Sonoma County
A mild sunny spring late afternoon arched over Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square as a wall of sign holders lining Third Street protesting many current developments of the American political scene while others lauded International Workers’ Day. Scattered throughout the Square, folks sporting politically oriented t-shirts and signs gently awaited the marchers who began their journey at 3:00 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office.
Themes of labor rights, freedom, justice, and solidarity twined all parties. Joel Fine of Santa Rosa, quietly awaiting the arrival of marchers clearly declared his purpose: “I’m here for solidarity to support everybody who doesn’t want to support Trump. Hopefully, with a lot of people, our voices will be heard and that’s how change happens.”
On the stage of a flatbed truck, a mariachi band dressed in flashy green highlighted with gold, ten or twelve musicians, plays familiar tunes with a refrain of “Ay, yi, yi, yi!” while members of the crowd dance and wave signs and cars honkings underscore the music.
The last of the marchers enter the Square from Mendocino, a married couple in their late seventies. Fred and Marsha Tarr of Petaluma rest on a bench at the north end of the Square. The couple began with the others at the Sheriff’s Department. Marsha related, “We joined this wonderful group of people and heard speeches. Our job was to march slowly and methodically down to the Supervisors’ Chambers and then down Mendocino Avenue and then here to the Square.”
This determined couple traveled on foot the entire march despite of age and physical difficulties. Marsha proudly reported, “My husband has an injury to one of his legs, so we slowly found our way to the back and were well cared for by the staff. I was blown away by the good selection of young people participating in the march. Well, somebody’s got to step forward.” Fred, now rested, added, “I’m letting the world know that I really care about democracy.”
Speakers follow the musicians on the flat bed stage. The North Bay Labor Council, connected with Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties and affiliated with the AFL-CIO, presents its theme, a celebration of unity and power on the day that celebrates labor. Iliana Madrigal, representing the Council in Research and Policy, forcefully annunciates, “The law is for everyone. The president has forgotten that our country was founded by immigrants for immigrants. This group has strengthened this country. We have to fight with love and persistence. The United States does not need a dictator. We need to work together.”
Madrigal, a native citizen of the United States, holds a masters degree in public affairs. Not a public speaker usually, she felt compelled to invoke the privilege of a citizen. “I have to stand up and speak up for people who can’t and that’s why I’m doing it.” She first presented her speech in Spanish to make the point that the United States had no official language until Trump’s executive order on March 1. Then she repeated the speech in English.
Rohnert Park Councilperson and former mayor Jackie Elward quickly and fluently responded when asked why she attended the event. “I’m here because as a first generation immigrant and someone that is really the target, this May Day is a big event for us, a day to remind people that immigrants have contributed to the foundation of this country. We made this march to remind people about unity and solidarity coming together to make us stronger.”
The abundance of signs tells the story of solidarity with a focus on dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. An older gentleman bore a sign with eating as a theme. On one side it read, “They’re eating the checks/ They’re eating the balances” while on the back next to a comic picture of Trump appear the words, “He ate habeas corpus.”
“Human Need, Not Corporate GREED” read another. And urgency was expressed with “All hands on deck. If not now, when?!” Many signs expressed a desire “To Save Our Democracy!” A gentleman’s black t-shirt showed his view: “Times Up! Impeach Trump NOW!” And some fears found voice in signs such as the one that exclaimed “Hands OFF Social Security and Medicare” and “Ever Lived in a Fascist State? You Will Soon.” And in touch with the workers day celebration, “Escuchen a los Trabajadores” or listen to the workers.
The event, not restricted to Santa Rosa, saw hundreds of thousands of people from around the world turn out for rallies. The thread that tied all the protesters together in Santa Rosa and other cities in the United States was President Trump’s programs that impacted labor and jobs along with immigration policies.
Heading to Railroad Square, hoping to catch the last Smart Train back to Rohnert Park, the scribbler mused to the photographer. “Things come full circle. When I was a very young boy seventy-five years ago, this country celebrated May Day with dancing around the May Pole and putting candy baskets on friends’ doorsteps. Then in swept the McCarthy Era and no more May Poles or May Day celebrations. Maybe we are seeing the real taking back of America by the people.” The photographer, much younger than the scribbler, replied, “I remember hearing about those times.”
And why these events continue to be important news stories as we are witnessing moments that will be entered in future history books. Happy May Day, everyone! Let’s celebrate all workers from everywhere who have and will make this a great country.