Protesters nationwide, including the 904, unite for the “Workers Over Billionaires” movement, highlighting economic inequality on Labor Day.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Millions of Americans across the country spent Labor Day marching in demonstrations against economic inequality, including hundreds who lined the entrances of the St. Johns Town Center to make their voices heard.
The Jacksonville protest was part of the nationwide “Workers Over Billionaires” movement, a coordinated push to highlight what participants call the growing gap between the wealthy elite and working families.
The event remained peaceful, with no counterprotests reported. Demonstrators gathered mainly near the Barnes & Noble entrance of the Town Center, waving signs, playing music, and chanting to passing cars. Many drivers honked in support as the protest stretched across several hours.
Organizers with the activist group 50-51 Jacksonville said their goal wasn’t to get the attention of political elites but instead to reach other working-class people who feel left behind.
Protesters came from across Northeast Florida — retirees, parents, students, veterans, and performers — each with their own reason for showing up.
John Smith of St. Augustine said he worries about what he sees as a massive shift of wealth away from everyday Americans.
“It’s about the transfer of wealth from our middle class to the very, very rich,” Smith said.
Michael Porcase, 69, echoed the concern.
“They took the fortune and moved on while people like the rest of us have to work the rest of our lives,” he said.
Others spoke about unity and democracy, such as Navy veteran Theresa Melton. Melton had joined the protest with other military families.
“It’s good to know even as Americans, even though we’re divided, we can still come together,” said Melton.
For some, spending the holiday protesting felt like the only option. Adrian Killian, 17, described the demonstration as a stand against unchecked power.
“We’re here to protest the rise of totalitarianism in the United States,” the young activist said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous how much power our current president has given himself and the upset of checks and balances.”
Organizer Jess Boaz said the point of the event was to channel that frustration into collective action in a call out to the working class.
“We’re trying to get them on board, have them help join our community and fight for what we deserve,” Boaz said.
The Jacksonville rally was one of nearly a thousand similar demonstrations held nationwide over the holiday weekend. The coordinated actions targeted economic inequality, labor rights, and what activists describe as the outsized influence of billionaires in politics.