Status: Live | Last Updated: 5/1/2026
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This May Day,
It’s Workers Over Billionaires
On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping.
Here in Traverse City, Michigan we’re calling on individuals, businesses, and students to join together for a Mutual Aid Picnic.
What does that mean? Get all the information you need, and more, below.
QUICK NAVIGATION
NATIONAL RESOURCES
DAY OF STATUS UPDATE
We're on. The Mutual Aid Picnic is happening today at Rotary Square, 1-3pm!
It'll be chilly (low 40s), but it looks like we’ll avoid rain. So, dress warm, maybe bring some hot cocoa, and come together with your community for a couple hours of solidarity in honor of the General Strike and International Workers Day.
MAY DAY GENERAL STRIKE
Billionaires are stealing public dollars, separating families and destroying U.S. democracy in their pursuit of profit, but in the streets and on the shop floor, in union halls and the halls of Congress, working people are rising up and fighting for freedom, fairness and security.
The May Day Strong Coalition is a broad tent, stretching from labor, to multi-issue advocacy groups and everyday workers who are fed up with the billionaire agenda. You can find a full list of organizational partners here.
Learn more about the movement here.
THE DEMANDS
Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first,
No ICE. No war. No private army serving authoritarian power.
Expand democracy. Hands off our vote.
Sign The May Day Pledge
WHY TAKE ACTION?
We want our tax dollars to go to schools and housing, not to sending federal agents into our cities to attack and kill our neighbors. No one should live under ICE violence or militarized occupation, period. Our tax dollars should fund stability and care, not occupation and repression.
Democracy should work for working people, not billionaire interests.
While working families are stretched to the brink, billionaires and corporations are posting record profits and hoarding the wealth our labor creates. That money should be funding housing, schools, healthcare, and the public goods that make life livable.The Corporations and the ultra-rich have rigged the system and it won’t get un-rigged unless working people take big actions together. Corporations and the ultra-wealthy are rigging the rules to protect their power and shut the rest of us out. A government captured by billionaire interests will not solve a crisis that benefits them without us making it.
Organized people are the only force that has ever stopped authoritarian takeovers and changed the rules to work for working people. Those who profit from a rigged system will not voluntarily give it up. When working people move together, we can defend our communities, protect our rights, and force the government to put our families over their fortunes.
MAY DAY MUTUAL AID PICNIC
This is an informal gathering where individuals, families, businesses, and organizations come together to build community and practice mutual aid. Bring a beach chair or blanket and spend the day with your neighbors.
Bring something to share: food, clothing donations, educational materials, petitions, whatever you can contribute. No monetary exchange, just free sharing.
Traverse Indivisible will be accepting non-perishable food donations for the Grace Episcopal Food Pantry, and new item donations for the Jubilee House Outreach.
This is not a traditional protest. It's an intentional gathering to exercise our collective power and show what's possible when we prioritize people over profit.
What to bring:
• Beach chairs or blankets
• Something to share
• Handheld signs are fine
What NOT to bring:
• Tables
• Electronic music or amplified audio
• Alcohol • No signs in the ground
• Absolutely no weapons of any kind
GOOD WEATHER ONLY. This event will only happen if conditions are favorable. Signing up on Mobilize is the best way to receive automated alerts about the event status on May 1.
TRAVERSE INDIVISIBLE @ THE PICNIC
Traverse Indivisible will be collecting Non-Perishable food donations for the Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry, and new or gently used item donations for Jubilee House Outreach.
The most needed items heading into the summer season at Jubilee House are:
Backpacks
New Tarps - 8×10 or larger
Sleeping Bags - rated 30° or lower
Hot Weather Accessories - sunglasses, baseball caps, sunscreen
Waterproof Jackets - especially Men’s L
Tennis Shoes - especially Men’s 10+ and Women’s 8+
Jubilee House is Traverse City’s only day shelter, and services up to 70 unhoused people every day. Providing them with shelter, food, and a place to rest, as well as access to the internet and other vital services.
For more information visit https://gracejubileeoutreach.org/
LOCATION
ROTARY SQUARE
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
Democracy belongs to all of us, and we're committed to making every event as accessible as possible to everyone who wants to participate. Below you'll find accessibility information related to location, parking, best drop-off locations, and how to request additional accommodations.
Check our Day Of Status Report for weather and terrain conditions.
Contact For Accommodations
If you have any questions or needs that we have not listed below, please email comms@traverseindivisible.org.
Accessibility Drop-Off Locations
Rotary Square: As this is a relaxed community picnic, there is no reserved accessibility area. Come as you would for a leisurely day in the park. However, the best place to get dropped off is in the alleyway / paid parking lot on the southern edge of Rotary Square, directly across from the Post Office off Union Street. Bring a camp/beach chair, or blanket if you need to sit.
Accessible Parking
Rotary Square: Rotary Square is located downtown Traverse City, so while there is dedicated accessible parking in the area, most of it is farther from the park and would require crossing sidewalks, roads, and the marching route. Your best bet is to use the metered parking along the South side of Rotary Square. This usually fills up quickly, so if you’re considering this option we encourage you to show up early.
Transportation Options
Rotary Square is at Union & State Streets in downtown – most BATA routes go to the Hall Street Transfer Station, which is a short walk from there.
Routes that serve downtown:
Route 1 – Downtown Hall Street to Grand Traverse Mall (every 30 min weekdays, hourly Saturdays)
Route 2 – Downtown Hall Street to LaFranier Park-n-Ride (every 30 min weekdays, hourly Saturdays)
FREE Bayline – East Bay to downtown to Meijer/Grand Traverse Commons (every 15 min weekdays, 30 min Sundays)
WEST Flex (old Route 4) – Brookside Commons/Oleson's West/Meijer to Hall Street (hourly 8:05 AM-2:30 PM weekdays)
Park-n-Ride options:
LaFranier Park-n-Ride (at Barlow & LaFranier) – served by Routes 2, 5, 7,
Woodland Creek Park-n-Ride (near Acme) – served by Route 14
Call 231-941-2324 or use the Transit App/Google Maps for live
Park Terrain
Rotary Square is a large grassy park, surrounded by public sidewalks on three sides, and an alleyway / parking lot on the southern side. It is very flat, and is generally well kept. There is a small bench / soap box on the western edge of the park that is generally open for seating. For the most part the park is accessible by walker or wheelchair, although some heavier automatic mobility devices might have trouble operating on the soft ground.
Restroom Access
Rotary Square: No portable restrooms available. Downtown business and public facilities only.
Seating Areas
Due to the informal nature of this event there is no reserved seating, and space in the park is available on a first-come first-serve basis. People are encouraged to bring blankets on which to sit with their group, or folding beach / camping chairs.
Sensory Considerations
The May Day Mutual Aid Picnic will be a literal day in the park. You can expect general downtown traffic noise, as well as the sounds of nature. There will be conversation from other participants, as well as the possibility of unamplified music or singing. There will not be any type of electronic audio or visual devices. If you have specific sensory needs or questions about what to expect, please contact us at comms@traverseindivisible.org.
Assistive Services
This is an unstaffed event, and there will not be dedicated accessibility liaisons. However, if you’d like to have someone meet you at the park to help you get your bearings, please inquire by emailing comms@traverseindivisible.org.
Downloadable Resources
PARKING
Rotary Square is located in downtown Traverse City, and there is no dedicated parking for this event. There is paid parking on the street and in lots near the park, but we also encourage riding a bike, carpooling, or considering the BATA Bus.
SAFETY
Safety isn't just a plan, it's how we show up for one another.
Peace is our top priority.
The Mutual Aid Picnic is a permitted event, and we've been working closely with the DDA to ensure a safe and legal day in the park.
We are committed to nonviolent action and peaceful resistance. We expect all participants to seek de-escalation with anyone who disagrees with our values and to act lawfully throughout the event. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to this event.
ACTION FOR THE DAY
Ok, we’re all gathered together. Now what? Our power is in collective action, which is why every Traverse Indivisible event incorporates at least one action you can take on the day of the event.
Send a Mayday to Your Representatives
MAYDAY. It's the international distress call, and today we're using it to tell our elected leaders the United States of America is in trouble.
Call or write your federal representatives and send them a Mayday message. Tell them why you're striking. Tell them which issue pushed you to take action, whether it's tariffs destroying local businesses, threats to democracy, healthcare access, education, or anything else that matters to you.
Our goal is to let them know their constituents are organizing, paying attention, and demanding better.
Make your voice heard. It takes five minutes and it matters.
WRITE
STEP 1: Check out our example letter and copy the text to your clipboard, or use it for inspiration.
STEP 2: Visit https://democracy.io. Fill in your address, and click “Submit”. (Not “create campaign.”)
STEP 3: Make sure all your representatives are checked and then click “Write To Them”
STEP 4: Fill in the subject line as “MAYDAY: [your specific issue in 2 to 8 words]”. Paste in the example letter and tailor it to the issue that made you want to participate in the General Strike, or craft your own using the mayday theme.
STEP 5: Fill in the rest of your information (this is required to make sure your message is tallied.) Make sure to choose the appropriate “Topic” for each representative.
STEP 6: Click “Send!”
CALL
STEP 1: Check out our example call script for a suggestion on crafting a mayday themed call, and write down key points you want to make or screenshot it on your device for reference.
STEP 2: Visit https://5calls.org. Click on “Set your location” and enter your information.
STEP 3: Under “What’s important to you?” type in your issue, or select from the list. If you’re not sure, then type in “report” and click on “Constituent Services,” this will take you to a general contact page.
STEP 4: Call your first rep to hopefully talk to a staff member or leave your message. Voicemails are still tallied, so make sure to leave the appropriate information!
STEP 5: Click the appropriate button based on the response to your call, and you’ll be guided to your next rep.
STEP 6: Rinse and repeat.
Make a donation to Jubilee House Outreach
Calling and writing congress isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take action.
Consider making a donation to Traverse City’s Jubilee House Outreach. Opened in 2005, Jubilee House is the regions only day shelter for unhoused persons providing a comfortable place to be indoors, rest, use the internet, grab a meal, or access other vital services.
Jubilee House serves up to 70 unhoused people every day, but they can’t do it without your help.
Make a monetary donation here.
If you can’t make a monetary donation, Jubilee is also in need of these items heading into summer (in new or barely used condition):
New Tarp (8×10 or larger)
Sleeping Bag (rated 30° or lower)
Baseball hats, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
Waterproof Jackets (espeically Men’s Large)
Tennis Shoes (Women’s 8+, Men’s 10+)
For more information on drop-off options, or other Jubilee House information visit https://gracejubileeoutreach.org/.
Learn about General Strikes in American History
When truth and facts are under attack education is power.
Learn about the 1919 Seattle General Strike. The first 20th-century solidarity strike to be called a "general strike" in the United States. Visit this website Seattle General Strike Project. Watch this short video www.youtube.com/watch?v=efM5EsZPfbA
Listen to this podcast about the 1946 Oakland General Strike. Widely considered the last major general strike in American History. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZII9a\_4L7CA
Watch this short documentary Learn lessons from the 1934 San Francisco General Strike. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKOWuh7ZE1I
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Look for these groups at the Mutual Aid Picnic. Want to be included here? Email comms@traverseindivisible.org
NOTICE OF PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RECORDING
By attending the Mutual Aid Picnic, you acknowledge and consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded (including by drone) by Traverse Indivisible, volunteers, and media. These images and recordings may be used for promotional, educational, and advocacy purposes on our website, social media, publications, and other public-facing platforms without compensation or further notice. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify a volunteer wearing an orange vest or position yourself away from cameras and designated filming areas. Your participation in this public event constitutes acceptance of these terms.