On Labor Day, thousands across the Los Angeles region and the entire country participated in rallies, marches, and picnics, expressing their fierce opposition to actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Union members and supporters criticized Trump for policies they argue undermine labor rights and benefit corporations and the wealthy at the expense of individual workers.
In a proclamation commemorating Labor Day, President Trump stated his administration is reversing years of neglect and placing American workers at the forefront, citing new tax laws and an improved economic climate for businesses.
However, critics argue that his policies destruct the government and labor-union infrastructure established to protect workers, ultimately harming those very workers he claims to support.
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor organized a significant rally and parade in Wilmington, where participants united under a common cause against President Trump.
State Senator Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles condemned the administration, stating, “Donald Trump has gone too far” and addressed the unsettling consequences of immigration raids which impact working families.
Durazo emphasized that these raids shift from focusing on border security to attempting to destabilize the economy and instill fear in families.
Angelica Salas, executive director of the immigrant advocacy group CHIRLA, added that fighting for workers’ rights is intrinsically linked to fighting for immigrant rights.
On the flip side, the Trump administration celebrated Labor Day by highlighting the dignity of the American worker and promoting new trade policies designed to encourage manufacturing to return to the United States.
Trump asserted in his Labor Day statement that his administration is focused on buying American and hiring American, revitalizing manufacturing cities, and negotiating fair trade deals that protect jobs.
However, the impact of tariffs introduced during his tenure has led to unpredictable cycles at the ports in Los Angeles, according to Mickey Chavez, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Southern California District Council.
Standing under an ILWU tent in Wilmington amid the celebrations, Chavez described the erratic nature of job security influenced by the tariffs, where the workforce often oscillates between high demand and sudden slowdowns.
Such unpredictability has left workers, especially those at the entry-level, struggling to adapt as they face ongoing fluctuations in employment.
Chavez, whose family has been involved in the ILWU since the 1940s, remarked that never before has work been so directly dictated by the decisions of one person.
On the same day as Trump’s Labor Day proclamation, he issued an executive order banning collective bargaining at various federal agencies, claiming national security as the justification.
This unilateral decision follows a previous order that restricted collective bargaining rights for a large portion of the federal workforce, a measure that unions have immediately challenged in court.
Research from the Center for American Progress indicates that Trump’s actions have stripped 82% of civilian federal workers of their bargaining rights, affecting over a million workers who were previously covered by union contracts.
Additionally, the dismissal of Gwynne Wilcox, a member of the National Labor Relations Board, has left the board without a necessary quorum and further stalled labor movements, even as the Supreme Court declined to intervene in her firing.
At the Wilmington rally, some speakers emphasized the need for labor unions to assist California Governor Gavin Newsom in redrawing congressional districts to flip seats from Republican to Democrat.
This strategy aims to counter Republican efforts, championed by Trump, to reshape districts in Texas.
Labor organizations have invested millions to support this initiative and are gearing up for voter mobilization efforts.
The plan, however, requires voter approval, as indicated by Proposition 50, which will be on the ballot for public voting.
State Assemblyman Mark Gonzalez stressed the importance of this measure to oppose actions taken by Trump that threaten the labor movement.
California Republicans argue that this proposed initiative dismantles key reforms intended to enhance the representativeness and competitiveness of California districts.
Among the critics is former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who opposes the retaliatory gerrymandering effort.
Despite the serious themes underlying the rallies, the atmosphere in Wilmington remained celebratory, showcasing solidarity and community spirit among thousands of union members and allies.
During the parade, local and state labor leaders celebrated alongside elected officials to the sounds of Bob Marley and the Wailers, creating a vibrant backdrop amid port facilities and a colorful display of union insignias.
Children blew bubbles, while local high school teams showcased their pom-pom routines, contributing to a lively atmosphere full of shared purpose.
Amid the crowd, union members from various trades gathered, including representatives from the entertainment industry, highlighting the diverse nature of labor movements.
As rallies unfolded under the theme of May Day Strong, labor, political, and environmental organizations rallied to draw attention to the detrimental impact of federal policies on workers.
The organizers asserted, “The billionaires continue to wage a war on working people, aided by their allies in the administration and law enforcement.
image source from：latimes
