Student and activist groups staged May Day marches and rallies across Wisconsin Friday, choosing left-wing advocacy for illegal immigrants instead of attending class.
Protesters gathered for a rally at Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus before marching to the State Capitol. Marches are also originating from Madison East High School and Madison West High School.
The events, organized in part by Voces de la Frontera and aligned with the national May Day Strong coalition, promoted illegal immigrant and worker solidarity under the theme “A Day Without Immigrants.” Organizers called for no work, no school and no shopping.
In Milwaukee, students chanted “all cops are bastards” and held a banner reading “Tax the Billionaires, Abolish ICE, Citizenship for All” as they marched. Several hundred people took part in the demonstration.
The Madison Metropolitan School District canceled all classes Friday after the Madison Teachers Inc. union reported that about 70% of its members planned to participate in the protests. District officials cited anticipated staffing shortages.
Sun Prairie schools also closed. The Sun Prairie Area School District announced the cancellation Thursday afternoon, citing a large number of staff absences tied to the planned march in Madison. The district notified parents with less than 24 hours’ notice. Elementary and middle school students will not make up the day, while high school officials are developing a makeup plan.
