1,000 Protests Unite All 50 States in Labor Day Actions
Ben Cable (Originally posted August 31, 2025 on Substack)
Happy Sunday. Thank you for taking the time to be with me this morning. Before I delve into today’s headline, a matter of business, Citizen Ben is severely out-funded. Billionaires, and endless propaganda fuel the Trump machine and its media echo chamber. Meanwhile, we’ve grown this community with zero corporate investors—only you.
If you’ve been waiting to subscribe, now is the moment. Hit that button. Upgrade to a paid subscription today. Your help is needed. Independent journalism doesn’t survive on hope—it survives on your action.
Citizen Ben is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts, pods, and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Tomorrow, Monday, a sweeping wave of activism is set to envelop the nation. Across all 50 states, nearly 1,000 protests and events are lined up under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires,” a grassroots effort to push back against federal policies perceived as favoring the ultra-wealthy.
A Nationwide Movement with Local Pulse
Led by the May Day Strong coalition, alongside labor giants like the AFL-CIO and advocacy partners such as Public Citizen, Indivisible, MoveOn, National Union of Healthcare Workers, and the American Federation of Teachers, the campaign builds on earlier efforts like the “50501” — 50 protests, 50 states, one movement.
Organizers emphasize that the protests are rooted in local, organic organizing—“outside of Washington, D.C.,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler noted in the Guardian, pointing to the breadth and depth of grassroots engagement.
Targeting Policies, Rallying on the Streets
Protesters aim to spotlight a string of controversial actions by the Trump administration:
- The removal of collective bargaining rights for roughly 1 million federal employees
- Lowering the minimum wage for federal contractors from $17.75 to $13.30 an hour
- Proposals to remove wage and overtime protections for 3.7 million childcare and home-care workers
- Scrapping minimum-wage requirements for disabled workers
Labor advocates have characterized these changes as not only harsh but historically destructive to union rights.
From the Big City to Small Town America
Examples of specific events reflect the movement’s vast reach:
- New York City: A large-scale march and parade is expected to rally thousands in the nation’s financial and political hub.
- Chicago: A march dubbed “Workers Over Billionaires: A Labor Day of Action” departs from the Haymarket Memorial at 11 a.m., winding through the Loop and taking aim at major corporations like Target and Tesla.
- Houston: In the Galleria area (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), organizers from May Day Strong will protest what they call a “billionaire takeover”.
- Midland, Michigan: The WOMAN (Women of Michigan Action Network) will host a rally at the courthouse (1 p.m.) followed by a march along M-20 (2 p.m.).
- Washington, D.C.: Residents will protest the Trump administration’s intensified federal oversight and deployment of federal forces, including events like the “D.C. Freedom Run”.
- Other Communities: Demonstrations are also planned in Palmer, Alaska, Las Vegas, Nevada, Hartford, Connecticut, Freeport, Maine, and at state capitols including Honolulu, Hawaii.
Momentum, Numbers, and the Bigger Picture
According to a Mayday Strong national call yesterday, the protests collectively are expected to surpass 1,000. Fast Company notes that events even extend to Guam, underscoring the movement’s nationwide and territorial scope.
Polls conducted by the AFL-CIO and David Binder Research show that 55% of Americans trust labor unions, exceeding trust in both major parties. This popularity gives the movement a powerful foundation to galvanize public engagement.
A Legacy in the Making
Labor Day protests have historically centered on honoring working-class achievements and civil rights. This year, activists repurpose that tradition into a resounding political statement—shifting from corn dogs to confrontation. The “Workers Over Billionaires” campaign aims to expose inequality, elevate worker power, and signal that organized labor—and solidarity—are far from obsolete.
As America observes Labor Day on September 1, 2025, the streets from coast to coast are poised to echo one clear message: Workers are rising—and they’re not backing down.
Find a Protest Near You
If you want to join, you can locate a September 1st Labor Day protest in your area by visiting: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/
Again, thank you for your support of my work here on Citizen Ben.
About the Author
