Mayor Rhodes-Conways Signs Haymarket Declaration

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2026

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is joining mayors from around the country in signing the Haymarket Declaration. Announced on May Day in Chicago, the accord is a joint commitment to use the power of cities to defend democracy, worker's rights, and the livelihoods of our residents.

"I'm proud to join progressive mayors in supporting the fundamental rights and freedoms of our residents to live in thriving and prosperous communities where everyone has an opportunity to succeed," said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. "The Haymarket Declaration reflects Madison's values, our collective strength, and the solidarity needed to build a better future. From our people-first housing initiatives, to our efforts to foster a sustainable local economy, to our work to reduce utility costs for residents, to our community-centered violence prevention work, Madison is already working to support the Declaration principles. I intend to continue pursuing policy improvements that make Madison more affordable, equitable and democratic."

The Haymarket Declaration commits participating mayors to pursue local actions which protect the First Amendment and the right to peacefully protest and organize; advance workers' rights and economic justice; lower costs and defend essential services; expand access to good-paying jobs; build safer communities through prevention and trust; defend immigrant communities; protect voting rights and local elections; and align public spending around shared values.

Read Haymarket Declaration

The mayors signing the declaration collectively represent 9.5 million residents:

• Mayor Brandon Johnson, City of Chicago
• Mayor Katie Wilson, City of Seattle
• Mayor Keith Wilson, City of Portland
• Mayor Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles
• Mayor Ras Baraka, City of Newark
• Mayor Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis
• Mayor James Solomon, City of Jersey City
• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, City of Madison
• Mayor Dorcey Applyrs, City of Albany

The Declaration comes ahead of the worldwide observance of International Workers' Day which commemorates the struggle over the course of generations for fair labor conditions and the right of workers to organize. It also marks the anniversary of the Haymarket Affair, the pivotal labor struggle of May 4, 1886, when a peaceful labor protest in Chicago was disrupted by a bomb, resulting in death, injuries, and a crackdown on labor activists who were organizing around the simple demand of an eight-hour workday.