BALTIMORE — Several protests against the Trump administration are happening across Baltimore today as part of nationwide demonstrations.
The protests include local labor unions and progressive political groups converging on McKeldin Square. Supporting groups, according to a news release, include the Metro Baltimore Council AFL-CIO, Teachers Association of Baltimore County, Baltimore NAACP and AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
Multiple "feeder protests" are taking place around the city, including at the Baltimore Teachers Union headquarters and at City Hall. Organizers say these groups will meet at McKeldin Square near the Inner Harbor and Pratt Street as rush hour begins.
Among other causes, protesters are demonstrating against mass layoffs, deportations and a "billionaire takeover" within the federal government.
"I think we're seeing unprecedented attacks against workers but we're also seeing unprecedented coordination," said Virginia Rodino with the Labor Network with Sustainability, "Recognizing that we need to stand together in order to fight the enormous attacks against us."
"We are just hoping to show solidarity and unity with the community. Show them that there is hope for change, show them that they're not alone, in feeling the desire for change," said Ria Samson, an organizer.
The protest at City Hall, dubbed "99 versus 1," focused on the majority's political power over the one percent.
"No one voted for tariffs that are tearing our country apart, no one voted for our neighbors being sent off to foreign gulags with no due process," said Sonia Shah with Allies for Democracy.
Several hundred protesters marched from city hall to McKeldin Square, with police maintaining a presence and directing traffic.
The demonstration came on the heels of President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office which brought some changes to Maryland.
That includes federal worker layoffs and ICE deportations like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
"As an immigrant I'm in the forefront of all these attacks. I know families, my neighbors, myself are living in fear right now and we needed to show up, we need to take back our agency that's the biggest thing we needed to do," said Claudia Barragan with Migrant Contingency.
Delegate Ryan Nawrocki (R), a member of the conservative Maryland Freedom Caucus, backed their right to assemble, but likened the advocacy at the planned protests to support for Hamas and MS-13.
"I understand what the May 1st event was about historically - but I think that's a very far cry- to support rights for workers and things like that. I don't believe that it was about supporting terrorist organizations. Unfortunately that's what it's morphed into," said Nawrocki.
The protests are expected to impact rush hour traffic as demonstrators head toward McKeldin Square.
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