Northwest Missouri residents will join with thousands across the nation Thursday, May 1, in mass mobilizations to demand a stop to the billionaire takeover of our country and the loss of democracy underway. In St. Joseph, they will walk peacefully with protest signs on the public sidewalks from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Belt and Frederick intersection.

The local “May Day Strong” march is sponsored by Persisterhood-St. Joseph and coordinated by Persisterhooder Nancy Zeliff. “We had over 250 people from all over northwest Missouri at our ‘Hands Off! Northwest Missouri Fights Back!’ rally in the same locale on April 5 – braving cold winds and near freezing weather in order to be in person and stand for democracy as a part of the massive protests that happened that day,” said Walk Coordinator Nancy Zeliff. “People here want the MAGA coup to stop – even here, in red Missouri, where our 6th District Congressman Sam Graves continues to endorse DOGE, vote for voting restrictions via the SAVE Act and for the budget cuts that will destroy healthcare and public education.” Signing up for the march is not required, but those who wish to sign up can do so at: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/776327/

“May Day Strong” marches and rallies will take place nation-wide on May 1 – calling for building a just and equal society. This year’s rallies will focus on “(1) Stopping the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration; (2) Protecting and defending Medicaid, Social Security programs, public schools, healthcare, and other safety net programs; and (3) Stopping the attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, and other communities.” – Prepared by the May Day – National Day of Action Coalition See https://maydaystrong.org/

Created in February 2017 during Donald Trump’s first term in office, Persisterhood-St. Joseph holds monthly fall and spring meetings and hosts/co-hosts area rallies, marches, actions designed to make the world a livable place for all. Persisterhood’s meetings, events, actions are posted on an “open” Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PersisterhoodSJ. Its “closed” Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaintJoeHuddle currently has 726 members.