CHICAGO — While it plans to conduct business as usual on Friday with a "full day of instruction," Chicago Public Schools has signed off on its 630 schools engaging in potential "May Day" field trips as well providing related materials that can be discussed in its classrooms.
Annually, International Workers' Day is celebrated on May 1, making the date into a global day of action where workers protest and hold rallies for better wages, safe conditions, and labor rights.
International Workers' Day originated in Chicago in 1889 and was established to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago while also supporting the struggle for an eight-hour workday.
For some groups, including the Chicago Teachers Union, this year's observance has also become a protest of the Trump administration.
"We are not living through ordinary times. Trump's military is starting to automatically register young people for the draft, and his agents are tear-gassing our neighbors and students at dismissal after kidnapping their classmates' parents as they are being dropped off at school," CTU said in a statement earlier this month. "All of this chaos is happening as federal agencies are taking away their health care, SNAP benefits, and civil rights protections."
Following back-and-forth sessions between CPS and the union, the former agreed to designating Friday a "day of civic action." Schools will remain open, but students can voluntarily participate in demonstrations, including one being planned by the Chicago Teachers Union, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Union Park.
"Encouraging participation allows Chicagoans to honor our history while advocating for our future," Chicago Mayor Brandon said in a statement regarding the compromise. "We look forward to a day of meaningful solidarity and community resistance to the forces trying to tear us apart."
CTU has contended it had bargained with Chicago Public Schools to make May Day a day of civic action in its latest contract, which was ratified last year.
"We want to be clear that participation in any field trips to May 1 civic engagement events is completely voluntary," CPS said in an email to parents sent on Wednesday. "No student is required to attend, and can instead choose to remain at school for the entire day."
Chicago Public Schools said in addition to a "full day of instruction," after-school activities, and evening events will proceed as scheduled. Student transportation for eligible students to and from school will also following normal procedures.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Federation of Teachers is participating in events across the state, including the rally in Chicago. The organization, which boasts over 100,000 members, said its intent in getting involved includes a need to "express the urgency of fully-funding public schools and critical services and fixing the tax code to make the ultra-wealthy pay what they owe so that local homeowners are not subsidizing tax breaks for the ultra-rich with increased property taxes for everyone else."
IFT claims the State of Illinois owes students $6 billion from pre-K to PhD, with 75 percent of public schools in the state operating below adequate funding.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers will be taking part in the following events:
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