This page contains information and scheduling surrounding May Day 2026 events held on campus and across the Pioneer Valley and will be updated as plans solidify.
What is May Day?
“May Day” or “International Workers Day,” is observed on May 1st and commemorates the struggles and wins throughout the history of the labor movement across the country and internationally. It’s time for us to recognize that we are part of the same history and same struggle as the workers who fought for the right to organize on behalf of their communities.
We need to take collective action on May 1st in solidarity with the working class in order to Democratize, Demilitarize, and Decolonize our country and the world in order to protect our rights.
Have you heard of the Haymarket Affair?
USA member Sharon Gardner wrote this short essay about the Haymarket Affair, which was a violent demonstration of worker power that lead to the eight-hour workday and the creation of May Day as a celebration and demonstration of worker power.
Schedule of Events for UMass Amherst
Location: Metawampe Lawn (in between the Student Union and ILC)
All Day – Tabling, activities, art, music, and more
As a part of the all-day May Day programming with Sunrise Movement Amherst and other student groups.
11 am-12 pm: Teach-ins
Anti-privatization by Kyle Chambers
In an age of budget slashing and worsening or disappearing services, conditions become ripe for intervention from the private sector. Corporations see opportunity, administrators see reduced costs, and it’s all at your expense! Join USA Vice President Kyle Chambers for a group discussion featuring UMass History Professor Kevin Young (Beseiged from Without, Undermined from Within) and PSU’s Chelsie Field, and learn about how the current financial crisis is by and large a choice that sets the stage for privatization – and how UMass unions and students are better prepared than ever to stand against it.
12-1 pm: USA tabling
USA and PSU will have a table with union merch and fliers, blankets and chairs for members to socialize, and folks from committees to discuss how to best plug into union work. There will also be a group craft activity as a show of solidarity.
1-2 pm: Speeches & Programming
Solidarity Power Hour, where all orgs will come together in a single event to solidify connections across our movements.
5-6 pm: Concert (organized by STPEC)
More details to follow.
Other events throughout the Pioneer Valley
If you cannot attend the May Day event on campus, consider attending one of the many Pioneer Valley May Day events listed on maydaystrong.org, especially the Western Mass May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires March:
4:30-6:30 pm: Western Mass May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires March
Location: Heritage State Park, Holyoke
- The agenda: Solidarity with Holyoke educators, ICE Out of our communities, Homes for All
- Register in advance using this Mobilize link
