What to know about May Day demonstrations as workers face rising energy costs due to Iran war

PARIS — Activists worldwide gathered for May Day rallies and street protests Friday, calling for peace, higher wages and better working conditions as many workers grapple with rising energy costs and shrinking purchasing power tied to the Iran war. May 1 is a public holiday in many countries to mark International Workers’ Day, or Labor Day, when workers’ unions traditionally rally around wages, pensions, inequality and broader political issues. Demonstrations were being held from Seoul, Sydney and Jakarta to many European capitals and cities across the United States. “Working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East,” the European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organizations in 41 European countries, said. “Today’s rallies show working people will not stand by and see their jobs and living standards destroyed.” In the United States, activists opposing U.S. President Trump’s policies are planning marches and boycotts. Here’s what to know about May Day. Rising energy prices and living costs Rising living costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East emerged as a key theme in Friday’s rallies. In the Philippines’ capital of Manila, large crowds marched to call for higher wages and lower taxes