People across Asia kicked off May Day celebrations with big marches and protests, many of which focused on U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies and fears of global economic uncertainty.
The holiday, also known as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day, marks the struggles and achievements of workers and the labor movement around the world. Thousands of people are expected to attend rallies and demonstrations calling for stronger protections for workers, higher wages, greater equality and more.
Activists and workers scuffle briefly with police as they tried to remove the barricades during a May Day rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto throws T-shirts to a waiting crowd as he leaves after delivering a speech during a May Day rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
The crowd cheer during a May Day rally at the National Monument in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Workers affiliated with Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) participate in a May Day rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Workers affiliated with Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) participate in a May Day rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
An activist raises his clenched fist during a May Day rally in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Peoeple march through the streets to mark May Day in Tokyo Thursday, May 1, 2025. A banner reads “Protect life and business.” (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama)
Peoeple march through the streets to mark May Day in Tokyo Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama)
Members of Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) beat drums and dance as they participate in a rally to mark May Day in Hyderabad, India, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions gather to attend a rally on May Day in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 1, 2025. The letters read “Let’s win basic labor rights.” (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
A worker affiliated with the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions holds head bands to distribute to participants at a May Day rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Activists and workers hit a figure of US President Donald Trump during a May Day rally in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Activist and workers are blocked by police as they tried to march towards the Malacanang presidential palace during a May Day rally in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Activist and workers raise their clenched fists during a May Day rally in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
