Multiple marches planned for May Day to support teachers, workers, speak out against corporate profit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — May Day will be busy this year. Multiple protests and rallies are scheduled in Charlotte and across the state to demand accountability from state and local lawmakers, and to draw attention to corporations, like Duke Energy, that are raising prices despite record profit. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Gaston County School and Cabarrus County Schools have made May 1 an optional teacher workday because over 1,800 teachers have already called out for May Day. 

Teachers across North Carolina are heading to Raleigh to demand the North Carolina General Assembly pass a state budget to fund public schools for the “Kids Over Corporations” march and rally. 

North Carolina is the only state in the country operating without an approved budget. This has led to school districts to make cuts, stagnate or even reduce teacher salaries and crowd classrooms. 

RELATED: Gaston County scales back teacher pay request amid state budget uncertainty, sparking educator concerns

“The lack of a budget decision puts us at risk for reducing programs, narrowing options and limiting the endless possibilities for students across our state and CMS,” Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill said.

While there have been proposed budgets in the past year — Gov. Josh Stein recently released his latest proposed budget to invest in teacher pay, public safety and tax relief for families — the Republican-led General Assembly hasn’t passed one. 

The North Carolina Association of Educators organized the “Kids Over Corporations” to demand “increased funding for public schools, accountability for voucher spending, and an end to policies prioritizing tax cuts over students.” Thousands of teachers are expected. 

In Charlotte, two marches are scheduled throughout the day. 

Folks will gather at Pearl Street Park to demand local companies like Atrium Health and Duke Energy “put the citizens of Charlotte over their corporate monetary whims” for the “People Over Profits” protest organized by Indivisible Charlotte, the Redress Movement and more. 

Former mayor Jennifer Roberts, Dr. Rev. Janet Garner-Mullins and others are expected to speak. 

Organizers call on Atrium Health to make 20% of the planned residential towers in The Pearl affordable housing. Atrium currently promises to make 5% affordable. 

“While The Pearl (Atrium’s development) is an exciting advancement for our city, Atrium only wants to make 5% of the residential tower affordable to everyday people, such as many of their employees,” Greg Jarrell with The Redress Movement Charlotte said.”

From Pearl Street Park, attendees will march to Duke Energy’s headquarters on South Tryon. 

Duke Energy has requested to implement rate hikes on millions of North Carolina customers. Customers have already felt the pinch through a stormy winter, and packed the North Carolina Utilities Commission meeting to demand regulators to deny the request. 

“After a record year of earnings, and one in which Duke paid no federal income taxes, the company is asking for an 18% rate hike to raise profits even more and put struggling families in jeopardy of having their utilities cut off,” Roberts said. “Rate payers are understandably furious.”

“People Over Profits” starts at 10:30 a.m. at Pearl Street Park.

In east Charlotte, there will be a march down Central Avenue to show demand an end to federal immigration enforcement. 

“Our tax dollars should fund schools, housing and health care, NOT federal agents attacking our neighbors. No community should live under ICE violence or militarized occupation,” Carolina Migrant Network said in a Facebook post. 

The area was one of many targeted in the Border Patrol operation in November 2025 that rattled the city. Local businesses shut down out of caution for workers and protests denouncing immigration enforcement emerged in their place. 

Charlotte’s May Day March: “Immigrant Rights Are Worker Rights” will start at 5 p.m. at the Latin America Coalition on 4938 Central Avenue. 

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