Alexander Hernandez
Staff Writer
Roughly 400 protesters gathered at the corner of Foothill and Indian Hill boulevards in Claremont Monday to take part in the nationwide “Workers Over Billionaires” protests.
The day of protest was organized by May Day Strong, an organization that seeks to stop the billionaire takeover, with similar organizations to stand up for workers and against the creeping oligarchy.
Protesters braved the heatwave motivated to fight against a government and president they believe does not represent workers.
“Somebody who’s in government, especially a president, who is supposed to be defending the Constitution and took an oath to it, is nothing short of a traitor if they’re not upholding that,” supporter Marge Ruffalo said.
Asked if she had more to add, Ruffalo flipped her cardboard sign, which read “Dump Trump.”
Protester Terri Caston held up a sign that read “Good trouble lives on.”
“Workers over billionaires,” Caston said. “I’m tired of working two jobs… just to make ends meet.”
Other signs at Monday’s protest read “United Against Tyranny,” “Hate Never Made America Great,” and “Fight Ignorance, Not Immigrants.”
A Donald Trump piñata sat on a stick held by one protestor.
Others were out to advocate for related political causes, including handing out “Yes on Prop 50,” the state measure on the Nov. 4 ballot that calls for redistricting California’s congressional maps to try to even the playing field following Texas’ redistricting move.
Marsha Tudor – representing the organizations Little Pantry, which gathers food and supplies for the homebound, and the Forward Together Hub, which helps those wanting to become more involved – was on hand, collecting donations for Little Pantry. She shared hopeful words.
“There’s a lot of good out there,” Tudor said. “How can you not be optimistic? Look at all the people out here who care.”
Though few representatives of Gen Z showed up, those who did made their voices loud and clear during the Labor Day protest.
Pomona college student Jacques Philippe spoke about the lack of Gen Z representation and urged others to take action.
“You have to truly put your actions, your beliefs into showing that you are supporting, by actually showing up,” Philippe said. “Showing up and…not being afraid to join in these types of things. And do more volunteer and other types of political work, and really support what you believe in.”
Kory Wells, also a Pomona College student, who came with Philippe, agreed.
“It’s really a privileged take to think that you might be able to escape what’s going on right now, or that you don’t owe your time to your fellow Americans,” Wells said. “At the end of the day, we’re all responsible for creating change, and I invite young people to do that.”
More than 1,000 similar protests occurred on Labor Day across the country.
Alexander Hernandez can be reached at alexander.hernandez3@laverne.edu.
Alexander Hernandez is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations, and a staff writer for the Campus Times.
