ORIGINAL HEADLINE · PBS NewsHour · 2026-05-01 — “What To Know About May Day As Workers Face Rising Costs Due To Iran War” · read source
GOOD MORNING, DEARS. It is the first of May, which around here means that the marigolds are out, the union hall is open, and a number of perfectly nice young people are in the street with signs. I have been in the street for many years myself. It is good for the circulation.
The protesters — and I have been told they are “workers,” though one of them appeared to be on a laptop — are calling for several reasonable things at once. Higher wages. Fewer bombs. An affordable energy bill. A schedule, ideally laminated, of which Cabinet member is currently in their position, so as to write to the correct one.
The young man holding the sign “PEACE, BREAD, ROSES, ALSO RENT” tells me that he works two jobs, neither of which exists in person. He showed me his app. The app told him to go pick up a sandwich. He picked up the sandwich. He gave the sandwich to a different app. He was paid in points. He cannot use the points to buy the sandwich.
The crowd is good-natured. There is a man with a guitar. There is always a man with a guitar. He is doing Pete Seeger. He is, technically, doing Phil Ochs, but he believes it is Pete Seeger, and I will not correct him in front of the group.
I asked the Mayor for a comment but he was at the same fundraiser as last week. I have asked the President for a comment but he has not yet responded. I have asked the Cabinet for a comment but I am not sure who is in it today. The fundraiser is on Tuesday.
Be well, dears.
About the Author
