CHICAGO— Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined a coalition of mayors from across the U.S. to sign the Haymarket Declaration, a joint commitment to use the power of cities to defend democracy, worker’s rights, and the livelihoods of our residents.
Recognizing May Day and the anniversary of the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, the Declaration builds upon cooperation between cities in the face of the Trump administration’s attacks on our residents while demonstrating solidarity, resilience, and a commitment to economic justice.
“As we come together to celebrate International Workers’ Day, fundamental rights fought for by the Labor Movement and the Civil Rights Movement are being tested by the federal government—the right to organize in the workplace, to vote, and to protest are all at risk,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “As city leaders, we have the responsibility and the authority to respond to our peoples’ needs and to stand up for democracy.
I am deeply grateful to all the mayors and cities who have committed to this bold action, together we will defend our residents’ rights and deliver the services they deserve.”
The Haymarket Declaration can be viewedhere.
The mayors signing the declaration collectively represent 9.5 million residents across nine cities, they include:
Mayor Brandon Johnson, City of Chicago;
Mayor Katie Wilson, City of Seattle;
Mayor Keith Wilson, City of Portland;
Mayor Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles;
Mayor Ras Baraka, City of Newark;
Mayor Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis;
Mayor James Solomon, City of Jersey City;
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, City of Madison;
Mayor Dorcey Applyrs, City of Albany.
“Defending our rights, advancing our democracy, and lowering costs are all rooted in the same principle: that government is about serving the people,” said Mayor Katie Wilson.“As a student of history, I see that this is our moment, if we make it so.”
“In crisis, mayors are looked to for leadership—they are the political first responders,” said Mayor Keith Wilson. “When the community stands strong together, nothing can stand in our way.”
“I am honored to rise to the occasion, and I count this pressure a privilege,” said Mayor Dorcey Applyrs. “Local government and local leaders must stand firm and lead where others fall short.
We must hold the line to protect our residents, but also to protect our democracy.”
The Haymarket Declaration commits participating mayors to pursue local actions which protect the First Amendment and the right to peacefully protest and organize; advance workers’ rights and economic justice; lower costs and defend essential services; expand access to good-paying jobs; build safer communities through prevention and trust; defend immigrant communities; protect voting rights and local elections; and align public spending around shared values.
The mayors came together today for a virtual press conference announcing the Declaration during which they spoke to the urgent role local governments must play in this moment of federal overreach, deference to the interests of the ultra-wealthy, and creeping authoritarianism.
Playback from the virtual press conference is availablehere.
The Declaration comes ahead of the worldwide observance International Workers’ Day which commemorates the struggle over the course of generations for fair labor conditions and the right of workers to organize.
Across the U.S., May Day will be marked by a nationwide day of action.
May Day marks the anniversary of the Haymarket Affair, the pivotal labor struggle of May 4, 1886, when a peaceful labor protest in Chicago was disrupted by a bomb, resulting in death, injuries, and a crackdown on labor activists who were organizing around the simple demand of an eight-hour workday.