TURNERS FALLS — More than 300 people gathered in Turners Falls Thursday afternoon to honor “May Day” in a downtown parade and rally, calling for resistance against the Trump administration and wider community solidarity.

The Turners Falls “International Labor Day Bread and Roses Parade and Rally” was organized in less than a week by members of the group Montague Resists with support from Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR).

This event was one of many International Workers Day — also called May Day — protests Thursday to protest the Trump administration in several major American cities.

In Franklin County, at least New Salem, Shutesbury and Shelburne Falls also had May Day protests. Eight residents gathered in New Salem across from the New Salem General Store, Selectboard Chair Sue Cloutier said in an interview Friday morning. In Shelburne Falls, a group gathered on the Iron Bridge for their May Day protest that attendee Patricia Tierney said was a “big hit.”

In Turners Falls, signs reflected anger at the White House on a host of issues, namely on what they believe are attacks on workers and immigrant rights, the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and threats to American democracy.

The afternoon featured a pre-parade gathering at Peskeomskut Park at Sixth Street and Avenue A. Hundreds walked up the northwest sidewalk of the avenue with music from the Expandable Brass Band and chants echoing in the streets.

Following the parade, the crowd gathered on the lawn in front of the Second Street parking lot. Bread and roses were passed around to attendees, paying homage to the political slogan “bread and roses” associated with the “Bread and Roses strike” in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1912. Court Dorsey, Annie Hassett and Lucy Bergen sang labor songs as the crowds gathered for speeches.

Keynote speaker David Cohen, FCCPR member and former United Electrical Workers (UEW) of America organizer, stood on two tree stumps and spoke to the crowd on the history of May Day, the current state of the United States and what can be done to respond.

“For the first time in a long time,” Cohen said, “a coalition of major national unions have come together, representing over 6 million workers, and have called for May Day rallies around the country, and have pledged to defend immigrant workers rights and deportation, and to defend workers rights and democracy.”

In his speech, Cohen said, in no uncertain terms, that people must “demonstrate, demonstrate, demonstrate,” and organize in defense of immigrants and social programs, resist fascist rhetoric and policy, and work with others, even those with differing opinions.

Attendee and Montague resident Helen Gibson Uguccioni agreed, speaking to her concern on the state of Social Security and Medicaid. She said she hopes people in power can do something to stem the tide of funding cuts.

“I hope that the people in power in our community do everything they can to fight losing funding for the services that are helping the people that need it, because there’s a lot of funding being cut.”

Montague Resists organizer Marina Goldman explained that this is the second “Raise a Ruckus for Democracy” event the group has done in the five villages, with the first being in Montague Center on April 19.

She explained that since the group started in late 2024, around 80 Montague residents have signed up for the mailing list for updates, and 60 people signed up to attend the May Day event on the “50501 Movement” — a national grassroots protest organization — event listing online.

In both events, the group had 10 days to plan. Goldman said they had to get a permit to gather on Thursday, which was approved by the Montague Selectboard and Montague Police Department, for which she extended her appreciation.

This is not the last ruckus Montague Resists has planned. Goldman said there are plans to host a June 14 event in one of the other three Montague villages. She feels that these local protests are accessible for residents who can’t travel while also highlighting the community-centered nature of Montague.

“We want to make community,” Goldman said. “We want to break bread. We want to share roses. We want to meet our neighbors.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.