Workers Over Billionaires, Signs Over Banners
Analysis of the Hands Off! Movement Protests
Assault on Democracy Authoritarian RiskRationale
The protests indicate widespread discontent with the administration’s policies and perceived authoritarian tendencies, highlighting how citizens feel that their democratic rights and social safety nets are under threat. The protests serve as a direct response to policies viewed as undermining public welfare and transparency, reflecting a dissatisfaction with governance that prioritizes corporate interests.
On Labor Day, workers gave The Don the tribute he actually deserves: a forest of protest signs. His administration, meanwhile, gave itself a giant banner of Trump’s face outside the Department of Labor — because nothing says “pro-worker” like state-sponsored worship of a billionaire boss.
The theme of the marches was “Workers Over Billionaires.” Trump’s counter-theme? “Billionaires Over Workers, But With Better Branding.” From Boston to Detroit to New York, crowds turned out in the thousands. Even in smaller towns, a handful of people with poster board and a bullhorn ruined some hedge fund manager’s eggs Benedict.
Organizers have kept busier calendars than Donny’s defense attorneys: June brought “No Kings Day.” July was “Good Trouble Lives On.” September? “Guess Who Still Hates Unions?” It’s been a summer syllabus in democracy, one street protest at a time.
Trump, of course, loves to style himself as the champion of the working man. But let’s check his record:
He halted protections for coal miners with black lung, apparently believing lung disease builds character.
He gutted the National Labor Relations Board — like pulling referees off the field and then pretending shock when management spikes the ball in workers’ faces.
He stripped one million federal workers of their collective bargaining rights overnight, union-busting with all the subtlety of a catchphrase: “You’re fired — and also you can’t bargain anymore.”
Liz Shuler of the AFL-CIO said she didn’t expect the assault on labor to move this fast. Rookie mistake: Donny is only fast when he’s destroying something.
So while he basks in the glow of his own banner, workers are out on the streets, making it clear they won’t be props in his gold-plated fantasyland. His “American Workers First” branding is a joke — the fine print might as well read: “Corporate Interests First, Workers Somewhere Near Paper Straws.”
The Don pretends he’s fighting for the working class. The workers just showed him who’s really fighting.
