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May Day 2026 protests draw crowds (at some locales) across the city
Photos from La Jolla, SDSU, and Waterfront Park
On Friday May 1 (AKA May Day, which celebrates the return of spring), there were a number of locations promoted by Rise Up San Diego for May Day protests across San Diego county. I took the trolley to three of the protests. I first went to La Jolla because a Students Rise Up demonstration was promoted to take place at UCSD.
I walked up and down the campus but I could not find a group demonstrating anywhere. There was an anime convention happening in an artist alley format, though there were no cosplayers evident at the event. As I kept walking, I saw a man with a bullhorn and a sign. Fred Schultz, a candidate for governor of California, told me that he looked for the protest, but could not find it either. I later saw him at the Waterfront Park protest as well, still carrying his bullhorn.
The second Students Rise Up protest was supposed to be at San Diego State University, scheduled to start at 3pm. I found Hepner Hall, but there were no protestors in front of the building. I kept looking and found around ten people hanging out at a bench. A couple of them looked young enough to be students, but most of them ranged in age from middle aged to senior citizens. When I saw the signs, I knew that I was in the right place. The Iran War was referenced by some of the signs. A few of the protestors were already leaving as I headed toward the trolley to take me to my next destination.
The third protest was due to start at 4pm at Waterfront Park, followed by a march through the downtown streets. The event was on May Day, widely considered a global day of demonstration honoring labor movements and worker rights. As such, the main event emphasis promoted online in advance was that the working class needs to be protected, and the government should not favor wealthy people over the working majority.
As more people gathered, some were listening to speeches. One speaker pointed out that the working class built the country that rich people profit from. Unions were represented more than I saw at other protests I have participated in.
As often seen at these protests, signage frequently mentioned Jeffrey Epstein as an example of the moral corruption of rich elites who currently seem to rule society.
Many demonstrators clearly considered immigrants to be part of the legitimate work force. One protestor had a sign with the Ernie Bushmiller comic strip character Nancy urinating on an ice cube (referencing Immigration Customs Enforcement). The crowd at this point numbered around 300 people.
People moved forward, with many wearing red shirts with text about how the working majority should be favored over billionaires. Red was the most popular clothing color of the day.
I also saw a lot of all-black clothing. This often makes me think about the Chuck Norris action movie Good Guys Wear Black. The color black has long been perceived as a show of resistance. Many bikers wear black and are considered anti-establishment types.
Once again, the butterfly motif showed up often as a symbol of migration.
People photographing each other taking photographs was another common sight that I notice a lot at these protests. Aside from simply documenting their presence, the online sharing of such photos is itself a form of protest that promotes individual beliefs and causes.
Once again, dogs seemed to enjoy joining in with whatever their human friends were doing, even if they have no idea about how high prices are going for dog food.
As always at these events, "No Kings" was a popular mantra and sign slogan.
A group of motorcycles drove by the marchers, though it was difficult to tell if they were moving alongside the crowd in solidarity or simply trying to get somewhere on the other side of the event.
In front of the San Diego Concourse, the march ended with several people giving short speeches and The Resizters (who I've seen at other local protest demonstrations) singing the Beatles song "Revolution."
Here's something you might be interested in.
May Day 2026 protests draw crowds (at some locales) across the city
Photos from La Jolla, SDSU, and Waterfront Park
May Day 2026 protests draw crowds (at some locales) across the city
Photos from La Jolla, SDSU, and Waterfront Park
On Friday May 1 (AKA May Day, which celebrates the return of spring), there were a number of locations promoted by Rise Up San Diego for May Day protests across San Diego county. I took the trolley to three of the protests. I first went to La Jolla because a Students Rise Up demonstration was promoted to take place at UCSD.
I walked up and down the campus but I could not find a group demonstrating anywhere. There was an anime convention happening in an artist alley format, though there were no cosplayers evident at the event. As I kept walking, I saw a man with a bullhorn and a sign. Fred Schultz, a candidate for governor of California, told me that he looked for the protest, but could not find it either. I later saw him at the Waterfront Park protest as well, still carrying his bullhorn.
The second Students Rise Up protest was supposed to be at San Diego State University, scheduled to start at 3pm. I found Hepner Hall, but there were no protestors in front of the building. I kept looking and found around ten people hanging out at a bench. A couple of them looked young enough to be students, but most of them ranged in age from middle aged to senior citizens. When I saw the signs, I knew that I was in the right place. The Iran War was referenced by some of the signs. A few of the protestors were already leaving as I headed toward the trolley to take me to my next destination.
The third protest was due to start at 4pm at Waterfront Park, followed by a march through the downtown streets. The event was on May Day, widely considered a global day of demonstration honoring labor movements and worker rights. As such, the main event emphasis promoted online in advance was that the working class needs to be protected, and the government should not favor wealthy people over the working majority.
As more people gathered, some were listening to speeches. One speaker pointed out that the working class built the country that rich people profit from. Unions were represented more than I saw at other protests I have participated in.
As often seen at these protests, signage frequently mentioned Jeffrey Epstein as an example of the moral corruption of rich elites who currently seem to rule society.
Many demonstrators clearly considered immigrants to be part of the legitimate work force. One protestor had a sign with the Ernie Bushmiller comic strip character Nancy urinating on an ice cube (referencing Immigration Customs Enforcement). The crowd at this point numbered around 300 people.
People moved forward, with many wearing red shirts with text about how the working majority should be favored over billionaires. Red was the most popular clothing color of the day.
I also saw a lot of all-black clothing. This often makes me think about the Chuck Norris action movie Good Guys Wear Black. The color black has long been perceived as a show of resistance. Many bikers wear black and are considered anti-establishment types.
Once again, the butterfly motif showed up often as a symbol of migration.
People photographing each other taking photographs was another common sight that I notice a lot at these protests. Aside from simply documenting their presence, the online sharing of such photos is itself a form of protest that promotes individual beliefs and causes.
Once again, dogs seemed to enjoy joining in with whatever their human friends were doing, even if they have no idea about how high prices are going for dog food.
As always at these events, "No Kings" was a popular mantra and sign slogan.
A group of motorcycles drove by the marchers, though it was difficult to tell if they were moving alongside the crowd in solidarity or simply trying to get somewhere on the other side of the event.
In front of the San Diego Concourse, the march ended with several people giving short speeches and The Resizters (who I've seen at other local protest demonstrations) singing the Beatles song "Revolution."