(NEW YORK CITY) - Thousands of Union Members from across New York City came together in Lower Manhattan earlier this week for the 2026 Labor Day Rally and March, centered on the theme: Our City, Our Fight, Our Future.

The program also marked the 25th anniversary of September 11th, honoring the Workers who ran toward danger, helped New York recover and rebuild, and carried the City through the difficult days and years that followed.

Rank-and-File Union Members shared stories about their Unions’ experiences on September 11th and in the response, recovery and rebuilding that followed.

The gathering also looked ahead to the fights facing Working People today and the importance of continuing to stand together for one another and for the City’s future.

The rally took place on Liberty Street between Church and Broadway, where American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 802 Musicians began playing at 4:30 p.m. as Union Members gathered ahead of the program.

Emcee Teesha Foreman of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180 and the Union Musicians kept the rally moving with music and chants throughout the program.

Father Brian Jordan of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi delivered the invocation and the FDNY (Fire Department of New York) Ceremonial Unit gave a stirring presentation of colors and performance of the National Anthem.

More than 5,000 Members representing more than 50 Unions took part in the rally and march.

The program featured speakers from the United Firefighters Association, 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Association of Flight Attendants, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 52, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), SEIU 32BJ, Transit Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), including Rank-and-File Union Members who participated in the response to and recovery from September 11th.

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani also joined the gathering, speaking about the strength of New York’s Labor Movement and the importance of standing with Unions and Working People.

Other officials in attendance included New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, and New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, along with many other local Elected Officials and Representatives of City and State Agencies.

Following the rally, participants marched north on Church Street, passing the World Trade Center site before continuing to Foley Square.

The march was led by the IBEW Local 3 Sword of Light Band, which paused at the intersection of Church and Fulton Streets to perform Amazing Grace in the direction of Ground Zero.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Click here to read more here, watch coverage from NY1 here, and see more photos here.

Both LaborPress & The Chief Also Published A Number Of Labor News Stories On The Anniversary Of September 11 And Can Be Viewed At: LaborPress – Labor Press is committed to delivering accurate, insightful, and timely labor news And Home - The Chief

New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council-Provided Photo.