Anti-Trump Protests Take Place Across U.S. as People Rally Against Billionaires, Federal Takeovers, and More

Protests took place across the United States on Labor Day, with activists, concerned voters, and Democratic leaders rallying against the policies and actions of President Donald Trump and his Administration.

Some protesters, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, used the opportunity to take a stand against Trump’s federal takeover of D.C. and the possible takeover of other U.S. cities.

Others demonstrated on behalf of workers’ rights. An estimated 865 “Workers Over Billionaires” events took place, covering ground from Washington, D.C., to the overseas Pacific territory of Guam.

The organizers, May Day Strong, referred to participants as “working people rising up to stop the billionaire takeover—not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement.”

Grassroots movement 50501, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 day,” was a key partner of the Workers Over Billionaires demonstrations. The group had previously stated its intention to rally against what it claims are the “anti-democratic and illegal actions [from] the Trump Administration and its plutocratic allies.”

Read More: Anti-Trump Protests Planned Across U.S. for Labor Day: ‘We Have to Stop the Billionaire Takeover’

The White House defended the presidency in light of the Labor Day protests, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers telling TIME on Monday that “no one has done more for working men and women” than Trump.

Trump has been known to take a strong stance against people protesting him and his Administration. When the President held a national military parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, people gathered for counter-action, attending “No Kings” protests to “reject authoritarianism.” Ahead of those demonstrations in D.C., Trump had warned “people that want to protest will be met with big force,” saying participants are “people that hate our country.” But the warning has not stopped people from exercising their right to protest.

Here are some cities where prominent protests took place on Labor Day:

Washington, D.C.

Washingtonians joined forces against Trump’s federal takeover of D.C.

Trump has received wide criticism since launching the takeover on Aug. 11 and deploying the National Guard to patrol the city, a move he said was necessary due to the “crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor” in the capital. This depiction of the city has been strongly rejected by D.C. officials, leading to a legal challenge.

On Monday morning, a Freedom Run took place “through the district to protest Trump’s fascist takeover of D.C.,” according to organizers.

Footage from public social media profiles showed dozens of protesters making strides together. One activist could be seen holding a sign that read “freedom not fascism,” as runners warmed up ahead of the run. Other attendees held aloft Washington D.C. flags, with some wearing and displaying “D.C. Freedom Run” T-Shirts made specially for the event.

Chicago 

The Chicago Teachers Union was set to rally against the stronghold of billionaires, but pivoted to protesting against the possible federal takeover of the city.

Key officials followed suit, as Chicago’s Mayor Johnson attended a rally at the Haymarket Memorial in the centre of the city, leading chants of: “No federal troops in the city of Chicago.”

“We're gonna defend our democracy in the city of Chicago. We're gonna protect the humanity of every single person in the city of Chicago,” vowed Johnson.

Mayor Johnson signed an Executive Order over the weekend instructing city departments not to collaborate with any deployment of National Guard troops by Trump.

On Monday morning, Trump praised the results of his takeover of the police force in Washington, D.C., referring to the capital as “now a crime-free zone.” He went on to suggest that the same course of action be taken in other cities he deems problematic due to crime. “Wouldn’t it be nice to say that about Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and even the crime-drenched city of Baltimore?” he questioned.

Many Chicagoans disagree with this sentiment.

“I’ve seen L.A., and I’ve seen Washington, D.C., and the pretext is always this phantom undocumented individual. And then after they established the pretext, they set up shop in Black communities, and they violate the constitutional right of Black citizens,” Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates told MSNBC on her fears of a potential federal takeover.

New York City 

Protesters, including restaurant workers, congregated outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York for an afternoon protest.

“The rally will center the question workers are asking New York legislators: Which side are you on? Trump and the National Restaurant Association corporate lobby, or workers fighting for a living wage and an end to the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers?” said the Living Wage For All Coalition in a statement emailed to TIME ahead of the demonstration.

Standing in front of Trump Tower, New Yorkers voiced their opposition to Trump's threat to launch federal takeovers in other cities and the funding cuts his Administration have triggered or could pursue in the future.

One protester held a sign that warned Trump not to “invade” New York, while another brandished a placard with a plea to “cut billionaires, not Social Security and Medicaid.”

There were also numerous references to the acronym “TACO,” with some protesters dressing up as chickens for the occasion.

Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong coined the acronym “Trump Always Chickens Out,” shortened as “TACO,” in May to describe Trump’s pattern of causing mass panic around major international policy decisions, before walking them back or delaying them.

When asked about the term by a journalist in the Oval Office, Trump had a strong reaction, accusing the reporter of asking a “nasty question” and warning “don’t ever say what you said.”

Boston

Protesters gathered on Park Street in the Charlestown area of Boston, with some carrying signs reading “No King, No Tyranny," seemingly in reference to the “No Kings” protests which have taken place previously and reportedly featured millions of Americans.

Members from education unions, including the Cambridge Education Association, shared images on Monday of demonstrators walking through the city.

Attendees gathered to listen to speakers, with many holding up signs in support of the Workers Over Billionaires' ethos.

Marching demonstrators were joined by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and fellow Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Los Angeles

Crowds gathered throughout Los Angeles, which is still reeling after Trump deployed the National Guard in June to quell protests related to immigration raids. California officials led by Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the move and mounted a legal challenge.

Along with those advocating for workers' rights, matters regarding immigration raids and the federal takeover were key topics at the city's Labor Day protests.

Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa, a Democrat and the former Mayor of Los Angeles, attended the Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition 46th Annual Solidarity Parade and Picnic Rally in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Detroit

The SEIU Healthcare Michigan union, which represents over 17,000 healthcare professionals, led protests for workers’ rights in Detroit.

“We’re not just fighting back—we’re building forward. A future where every worker earns a living wage, has a voice on the job, and our communities come before corporate profit,” the union said, sharing photos of protesters marching behind a giant banner.

In an update, the union later revealed that “more than 100 caregivers and support staff represented by SEIU Healthcare Michigan have issued a formal 10-day strike notice over unfair labor practices.”

Columbia

Protesters marched down Main Street and in front of the South Carolina statehouse in Columbia. They could be seen brandishing signs in support of workers and unions. 

One sign read: “If you are enjoying Labor Day, thank a union.” Other placards showcased messaging such as “solidarity is strength” and “teachers over billionaires.” 

The protests in Columbia were organized with the support of 50501.

Read More: Scenes From Trump’s Military Parade and the ‘No Kings’ Protests Opposing It

Tallahassee

Florida’s state capital saw demonstrators gather outside the Historic Capitol Building from 9 a.m. local time.

“As we celebrate labor today, our workers, we celebrate each and every person who rolls up their sleeves and digs in to make this country great,” Leon Classroom Teachers Association (LCTA) member Shari Gewanter said to the crowd, according to local media.

Demonstrators held up various signs, with one reading “immigrants work harder than Trump” as they lined South Monroe Street in the center of the city.