From worker rights rallies to marches for social justice, activists around the globe kicked off May Day demonstrations on Thursday.

May Day marches, rallies and riots have taken place worldwide in recent years as unions push for better rights for workers, groups air economic grievances or activists call for an end to the war in Gaza. While most demonstrations have been peaceful, there have been clashes with police.

Thousands gathered in Union Park Thursday morning before marching to Grant Park for a rally marking May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, the global holiday commemorating the labor rights movement with roots in Chicago history.

Thousands are expected to march through Chicago today for May Day, demanding workers' rights, immigrant protections and better workplace conditions.

CHICAGO (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world rallied Thursday in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump’s agenda from aggressive tariffs that are stoking fears of global economic turmoil to his administration’s immigration crackdowns.