Labor Day ‘Workers Over Billionaires’ protests take place around the Valley, the US

PHOENIX — Protesters gathered around the Valley as well as the United States on Labor Day for “Workers Over Billionaires” demonstrations.

There were at least five demonstrations throughout Maricopa County including at the State Capitol, Rep. David Schweikert’s office in Scottsdale, Anthem, Tempe, Chandler and Queen Creek, according to May Day Strong.

There were also protests listed in Flagstaff, Sedona, Payson, Globe, Tucson, Patagonia and Sierra Vista.

The gatherings were against “the billionaire takeover.” They were also to demand protection for Medicaid, fully funded schools, healthcare and housing for all, to stop attacks on minorities and invest in people not wars.

Details on ‘Workers Over Billionaires’ protests

Fuerte Arizona staged what it called a “die-in” at the protest at Schweikert’s office. This was to dramatize the influence billionaires and politicians are having on local communities and workers.

Protesters laid on the ground and marched while holding signs in the shape of tombstones that said rest in peace to public schools, Arizona Medicaid, families in need, universal healthcare, democracy and more.

A resident who attended the demonstration posted to social media that there were also protesters against the Trump administration in the area and some combined forces.

In addition to the “Workers Over Billionaires” protests in the Valley, there were also demonstrations in cities around the nation including New York, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 but it was not made a national holiday until 1894.

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