Thousands Protest Trump Policies, Demand Living Wage

Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of major U.S. cities, from Chicago to New York, Washington D.C. to San Francisco, to denounce President Donald Trump’s policies and demand a living wage for workers. Organized by groups like One Fair Wage and May Day Strong, the demonstrations targeted the federal minimum wage, stagnant at $7.25 an hour, and what protesters call a “billionaire takeover” of American democracy.

In New York, crowds rallied outside Trump Tower, a enduring symbol of the president’s wealth, chanting “Trump must go now!” and waving banners decrying a perceived fascist regime. In Chicago, protesters gathered near another Trump Tower, shouting “No National Guard” and “Lock him up!” to oppose Trump’s threats to deploy federal forces in cities like Chicago. Washington D.C. saw signs demanding “Stop the ICE invasion” and “Free D.C. No masked thugs,” reflecting anger over Trump’s immigration policies and federal takeover of the capital’s police.

The protests, part of the “Workers Over Billionaires” movement, united labor unions, activists, and community groups. In Chicago, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss rallied the crowd, declaring, “We’re here because our core values and democracy are under attack. They’re threatening to send the military into our streets.” A brief confrontation erupted when a counter-protester in Chicago shouted “Long live Donald Trump,” only to be drowned out by the crowd’s response.

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Ziri Marquez, a 25-year-old Chicago protester, voiced concerns about low wages, a stagnant economy, and anti-immigrant scapegoating, linking domestic struggles to global issues like the conflict in Gaza. Along the West Coast, from San Diego to Seattle, hundreds marched in solidarity, with Portland’s Lynda Oakley citing frustrations over healthcare, immigration, and Social Security. “I am done with what’s happening in our country,” she told local media.

In Seattle, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda emphasized the power of workers over billionaires, stating, “Workers should be more powerful than the small billionaire class.” May Day Strong, a key organizer, warned on its website that “billionaires are stealing from working families, destroying our democracy, and building private armies to attack our towns and cities,” urging collective action to resist.

The protests, which included over 865 events nationwide, reflect ongoing resistance to Trump’s policies, following earlier demonstrations like the “No Kings” rallies in June and “Rage Against the Regime” protests in August. As tensions rise, the call for economic justice and democratic protections grows louder, setting the stage for continued activism ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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