As Americans observe Labor Day, workers throughout the country are taking to the streets to protest President Donald Trump and other billionaires who, they say, are removing the power of the working class.
The protests of “workers on billionaires”, led by AFL-CiO, the largest union federation in the country, along with dozens of other organizations, a mobilization of several days began on Monday with about 1,000 demonstrations, picnics, marches and other events. The defenders hope to accumulate the impulse and support between the workers against the Trump administration and the richest segment of the Americans who will benefit most from the president’s policies.
“Every thing that working people have won for ourselves in the history of this country, is not because we ask those who were in power,” said Liz Shuler, president of AFL-CiO, in a speech in the state of the Union last week. “It’s not because they gave them to us. It’s because we fight for them without rest,” he said.
Who is behind the protests?
In addition to AFL-CI, groups such as a fair salary, a non-governmental non-profit organization that advocates restaurant workers; Newtown Action Alliance, an armed violence prevention defense group; And many local organizations have participated in the planning of the protests nationwide.
Many of the organizers of “billionaires” are also part of May Strong, a coalition of unions, teacher associations and more that organized a series of events and demonstrations that protested the administration on May 1, the International Workers Day.
What are they protesting?
The defenders are criticizing the “multimillion -dollar acquisition” in the government, criticizing corporate influence together with what many activists label as authoritarian policies, including the orientation of immigrant workers and the deployment of military forces in Washington, DC
“It is important to demonstrate that there is opposition to the Billonario Trump agenda in each community, large and small; not only are the cities that are united against what is happening … It is all the cities, it is small cities that vote overly over Trump,” said Saqib Bhatti, executive director of the Center for Actions on race and the economy, uses today.
On May Strong Coalition wrote on its website a list of five demands they are doing, including the protection of Medicaid, Social Security and other programs for working people; the end of attacks against immigrants and color communities; and for the complete financing of schools, medical care and housing for all.
In response to NBC News questions about “older workers of billionaires”, the White House did not directly address the protests. But spokesman Taylor Rogers said in a statement that “no one has done more for workers and women than President Trump.”
“Under the leadership of President Trump, Republicans are once again the proud party of the US worker,” Rogers said.
The White House Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, promoted Trump as a voice of the working class.
“President Trump believes that American workers are the heart and soul of our economy and our national identity, so he has defended an agenda that always puts them,” Leavitt said in a separate statement.
Where are the protests happening?
Manifestations are made in small towns and main cities of the United States, a large group is expected to join in front of the Trump Tower of Manhattan, where attendees are expected to request a minimum wage of $ 30 per hour. Below Fifth Avenue, the organizers have planned a protest in the afternoon with multiple references to the acronym Taco, which represents “Trump always chickens.” The protest is scheduled to present Trump costumes, Taco accessories and a “restaurant on the street” where participants will serve tacos.
“The rally will focus the question that workers are asking New York legislators, on what side are you?” According to a press release from a fair salary. “Trump and the corporate lobby of the National Restaurants Association, or workers who fight for a decent salary and the end of the sub -minimer salary for workers with tip?”
In Chicago, the protests, which began at 11 am, have focused on Trump’s threats to “straighten” the city with the Federal Police.
“The Federal Government can do a lot to help Chicago,” said the president of the Chicago Masters Union, Stacy Davis Gates. “We are not asking for militarized strength. We are asking for Snap benefits to be restored. We are asking that the Department of Education be financed and resources so that special education children have an resource when their school districts do not educate them properly.”
