The rally began at 11.30am and rolling road closures were in place for the 133rd edition of the annual march. Leeds Trade Union Council (TUC) President Jane Aitchison said: “In 1890, Leeds and London held their first May Day marches and rallies. Here thousands gathered to demand an eight hour day - because they were having to work harder and for longer hours to make ends meet. Does this Sound familiar? Well it should, because when the Tories say ‘if you want more money you’ll just have to work harder’, this is where they want to turn the clock back to. To a time before trade unions, to a time without rights, to a time when people were super exploited for the profit of a few.
"Last year alone five million UK workers took on a second job. Today we will hear from workers on the front line of pushing back the relentless pushing down of our pay and living standards and from our political allies in the Labour movement.”
The Yorkshire Evening Post was out in Leeds city centre to capture all the action and here are some of the best pictures.
![Marchers held colourful banners as they proceeded through Leeds city centre for the May Day March.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM3Y2MzOGExLTE3NDUtNDdmNS05YWE2LWFmNWY5OTZkZWI4NTplMDYzNmQ3OC02NWUxLTRjZTUtOTQ3OC05NWYwYmM4MmFlNDA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Leeds May Day March 2023
Marchers held colourful banners as they proceeded through Leeds city centre for the May Day March. Photo: Steve Riding
![A campaigners wearing a Boris Johnson mask was amongst the many calling for improved pay.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA1YTNhMzA1LWU1NjYtNDU5Zi1iZTUzLWJmMGEwNDUxNGY4Yjo1MmM2MTdiMi1kMjEwLTQyYjQtOThkNS1kNjYwYjA5MzMwODc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Leeds May Day March 2023
A campaigners wearing a Boris Johnson mask was amongst the many calling for improved pay. Photo: Steve Riding
![There was a strong sense of feeling as the march headed through some of Leeds' main thoroughfares.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY1ZmEyZDZhLTdkNWEtNGRkOC1hYWQ2LTkyMDUzMjNiNmUyZDozMDkwYTdhMS0xOGYwLTRlYzMtOWY1MS1lYWYyMjk5MTY2ZGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Leeds May Day March 2023
There was a strong sense of feeling as the march headed through some of Leeds' main thoroughfares. Photo: Steve Riding
![A brass band was out on Briggate supporting the march.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjE1YmQzZjk4LTMzYjMtNDgxYS1iZWU2LTE0OTEyZDBjNzQ4ZDoyZjc4M2RiYy01YTE4LTQ5OTYtYmUyMS0wYjBlODZmMDNhMTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Leeds May Day March 2023
A brass band was out on Briggate supporting the march. Photo: Steve Riding
![Campaigners held banners for Unison, Workers' Power and the NHS in the show of support for those on strike. Picture: Steve Riding.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM5NDBiY2JiLTgyMDItNDU1ZC1hNDc2LTUyNDcyNzNmNzczMjo5ZTgyMjI5MC0xM2QyLTRhNjUtYWMxMC1iYzg1YTJjNDkxYjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Leeds May Day March 2023
Campaigners held banners for Unison, Workers' Power and the NHS in the show of support for those on strike. Picture: Steve Riding. Photo: Steve Riding
![The RMT, that announced there would be further train strikes this week, was out in force.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIxNTg2YTI2LTFmYjQtNGNhMS04MDE5LTdjNDE1NWJhNzA1ZDowNzVlNjA0MS05YjAxLTQxMTMtODQyYi1lYWQyYzIyNTQ4ZjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Leeds May Day March 2023
The RMT, that announced there would be further train strikes this week, was out in force. Photo: Steve Riding