May Day rally in Covington attracts Trump protesters | Photos

On May Day, aka May 1, close to 100 protesters gathered along the sidewalks near Fred Meyer and Costco in Covington, continuing their public opposition to the Trump administration.

“We’ve had at least four protests here since the beginning of April,” said Connie Compton, one of the organizers for IndivisibleCovingtonWA. “We’re showing action in the local community, holding signs and raising awareness that you’re not alone.”

Protests every few weeks or so have become a constant in south King County, with the Covington protests along Southeast 272nd Street (most often called Southeast Kent-Kangley Road or State Route 516) and, while most have taken place on weekends, the May Day protest ran from 4 to 6 p.m. on a Thursday.

“May Day is a traditional day of action, especially with labor,” Compton said. “Today is a work day for most people, but there are back-to back events throughout the area.”

While the U.S. celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday of September, many countries throughout the world celebrate on May 1 (or the first Monday in May).

Often called International Workers Day or International Labour Day, the first May Day was born out of the American Federation of Labor’s strike that began on May 1, 1886. Now known as the Haymarket affair of 1886, the strike was for the demand of the eight-hour workday, which has become the norm.

“Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world rallied in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump’s agenda from aggressive tariffs that are stoking fears of global economic turmoil to his administration’s immigration crackdowns,” according to the Associated Press.

For Carol Lynn Harp of Black Diamond, the May Day 2025 protest was her second and she said that she would continue to come back for more protests.

“Trump is not really competent,” Harp said.

Throughout the protest, honking from passing cars was a constant, which Harp and Vicki Wenham both made note of.

“I love when we get truckers honking,” said Wenham, who has now attended four protests.

“I’m here for a lot of reasons but more than anything, the rule of law. I feel like I’m here for all of the people that can’t,” Wenham said. “People who could be deported or could have retribution or the young people, this is for their future.”

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