Chicago Mayor Rejects Troop Deployment
Labor Day demonstrations across the United States took on a sharper political tone this year, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson denouncing the Trump administration’s plan to deploy federal troops to the city as part of its immigration crackdown. “No federal troops in the city of Chicago,” Johnson declared at the “Workers over Billionaires” rally in the West Loop. He vowed to defend democracy and protect all residents, later leading chants of “No troops in Chicago” and “Invest in Chicago.”
Outside Trump Tower in Chicago’s River North, protesters carried anti-Trump posters and chanted “Lock him up,” adding to the nationwide displays of opposition.
Nationwide Demonstrations
The rallies were part of the national Workers Over Billionaires movement, a coordinated campaign organized by the May Day Strong group, AFL-CIO, One Fair Wage, and other labor coalitions. Demonstrations took place in cities large and small, from New York and Los Angeles to Cleveland and Greensboro.
In New York, hundreds protested near Trump Tower in Midtown, while Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined demonstrators in Albany, highlighting the labor movement’s role in building the state’s middle class. In Washington DC, nearly 1,000 residents joined the “Freedom Run,” protesting Trump’s federal takeover of the city and recent mass firings of federal employees.
Strikes and Local Actions
The Labor Day protests were not limited to marches. In Houston, more than 400 Hilton Americas-Houston workers walked off the job in a nine-day strike led by Unite Here Local 23. Workers are demanding a wage increase from $16.50 to $23 per hour. Chapter president Franchesca Caraballo said it was the first strike in the union’s 25-year history.
On the West Coast, thousands marched in Los Angeles before gathering for a community picnic with live entertainment. In Northern California, residents formed a 17-mile human chain stretching from Redwood City to Santa Clara in a striking display of solidarity.
White House Response
Even as thousands marched, President Donald Trump shared his own Labor Day message on Truth Social, posting a photo of himself shaking hands with workers. The image carried the caption: “Celebrating 250 years of THE AMERICAN WORKER. Happy Labor Day.”
Despite the celebratory tone, the widespread demonstrations underscored the growing resistance to his administration’s immigration and labor policies, with union leaders framing the movement as a fight to prioritize workers over billionaires.
