"Workers Over Billionaires" Labor Day protests held in Maryland
Several Maryland communities held "Workers Over Billionaires" protests on Labor Day to call for better working conditions, show solidarity with unions, and protest the Trump administration's policies, according to organizers.
The protests, hosted locally by different organizations, were all part of the May Day Strong Movement.
What is "Workers Over Billionaires"
According to the organization's website, the protests aim to "Stop the billionaire takeover."
"Billionaires are stealing from working families, destroying our democracy, and building private armies to attack our towns and cities," the website reads. "...the way we stop the takeover is with collective action."
The Indivisible Carroll County organization — which is hosting a local "Workers Over Billionaires" protest in Westminster, Maryland — described the rally as a "mass mobilization protesting the billionaire takeover in the United States."
"We're sending a clear message to the 1% that the American people stand united against their attempt to make our country into an oligarchy with a rich dictator at the wheel," organizers said in a statement.
White House responds
In a statement to WJZ, the White House defended President Trump's policies, saying no other president has done more for the working class.
"President Trump believes that American workers are the heart and soul of our economy, which is why he's championed an agenda that always puts them first," said White House Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers. "From signing the largest middle-class tax cuts in history to securing nearly $10 trillion in new investments to create high-paying jobs across our country."
In a news release Monday, the White House said the president's policies have created over half a million jobs and claimed to bring back more manufacturing and production jobs from overseas."
"President Trump believes that American workers are the heart and soul of our economy and our national identity, which is why he's championed an agenda that puts them first always," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
"Workers Over Billionaires" protests in Maryland
"Workers Over Billionaires" protestors gathered in McKeldin Plaza in Baltimore on Monday afternoon.
One federal worker, who only went by his first name, Ben, described the impact of the workforce cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
"The threat of reductions in force — or as you've heard in the news as RIFs — have harassed those with institutional knowledge into early retirement to take what is called the deferred resignation program, or DRP," Ben said.
Several union leaders spoke with an overarching message to be strong together.
"Know that cultural workers in Baltimore, and all across the nation, stand with you today organized together," said Gregory Bailey of Walters Workers United. "We can work to uphold the motto of Walters Workers United by building a more just and equitable country for the benefit of all."
According to the May Day Strong Movement, protests were also held at several other locations in the Maryland area.
Some of the local organizers were also part of the "No Kings" protests that were held across the state and country on June 14. Those rallies drew nearly 5 million people, according to the Americans for Civil Liberties Union.
Similar to the "Workers Over Billionaires" movement, the "No Kings" protests aimed to call out the Trump administration for its policies on immigration enforcement and cuts to federal funding.
The "No Kings" protests, which the White House called a "complete and utter failure," coincided with President Trump's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C.
Caroline Roberts of Towson has gone out to protest any chance she gets since Mr. Trump returned to office. She said she won't stop anytime soon.
"I'm just gonna come out as often as I can to try to help save democracy," she said.