SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of protesters across several Central Florida counties came out to make their voices heard on Labor Day.
From DeLand to Casselberry, protesters of all ages showed up in numbers, holding signs supporting workers’ rights and denouncing the Trump administration.
It’s part of the nationwide ‘Workers over Billionaires’ protests taking place across the country to demand fair wages and benefits for working class citizens.
What You Need To Know
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Nationwide “Workers Over Billionaires” protests took place in various Central Florida counties
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Protests advocated for workers’ rights in Orange, Seminole and Volusia Counties
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In Casselberry, over 300 people rallied together for the protest along SR 17-92 while holding signs and chanting
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Dozens of protesters participated in the 50501 organization’s car caravan to “stand with workers” in Orange County
In Casselberry, over 300 protesters filled the sidewalks along 17-92 while chanting and holding signs advocating for workers’ rights.
While some protests took place in the morning, others took a different form in the afternoon.
The 50501 organization invited the public Monday evening to take part in a car caravan as part of the nationwide movement.
Protesters were encouraged to tape posters reading messages like “We all deserve a good life” and “Workers over Billionaires” on their windows as they drove around in support of worker organizing.
On a day that serves to honor the achievements of those in the labor force, hundreds across various central Florida counties took to the streets to advocate for workers and demand more from the Trump administration.
“It is Labor Day, and it’s important to talk about the role of workers and how unions have built an America where we have vacation, where we have holidays, where we have wages that you can live on,” says Seminole County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Deborah Poulalion, who was also one of the event organizers.
Protesters from Seminole County put their arms together to demand better working conditions for those who need them the most.
Among those protesters looking to help workers is Steve Barnes.
He sits on the Central Florida Democratic Labor Caucus; a brand-new organization that defends workers’ rights in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties.
“It’s really important for us to make sure we hear from people who are union members, working families, what issues are important to them so that we can advocate for them in the legislature and with elected officials,” explains Barnes.
His goal, he says, is to bridge the gap between the Democratic Party and labor unions in the area, which he hopes to keep on doing through these protests, which started gaining momentum early this year after the “Protest to Protect Democracy.”
“Our biggest one was No Kings Day. It was a big national event but every time we have one of these, we get 300-400 people,” explains Seminole County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Deborah Poulalion.
Seminole County resident and protester Erin Kutner has also noticed these protests’ growing attention over the last several months.
“Coming out to these protests fills your hope cup because you see that you’re not alone and not only the people who are showing up but you see the reaction we’re getting from all these people,” she says.
And it unites all types of people, like protester Nelson Roe, who has been a Republican his entire life.
“I believe in a lot of traditional stuff, I consider myself a Christian, and I think it probably says a lot that I’m out here protesting Donald Trump’s administration and probably tells you how strongly I feel about it that I’m willing to do that,” says Roe.
Another 100 or so protesters gathered for the same cause in DeLand on Labor Day morning from 10 AM-12 PM.
“Seems like we’re going to have to put our bootstraps on and keep fighting. As I said, all the things, the attacks to health care, right? The attacks to our families. The attacks on working people in general are uncalled for, right,” Political Director for 1199 Service Employees International Union Coy Jones said.
Jones said 1199 SEIU represents more than 45,000 members and retirees across the state, focusing on healthcare jobs.
“We are seeing devastating cuts to health care in ways that we have never seen before. We already had a staffing crisis inside of our facilities. It’s even worse now. The fact that we have ICE raids. Our hospital workers are concerned about being targeted while they’re at work,” Jones said.
Jones said what brought her and others to the Labor Day “Workers Over Billionaires” event is concern for the future of workplace security for millions of people nationwide.
“We are we are the engine of this economy. We keep things moving. An attack on us is an attack on all. So, we’re out here. We want to make sure that families are first. We want to make sure we’re taxing the billionaires, and we want to make sure we take care of our families,” Jones said.
“At the end of the day, all of our issues are connected, and history has shown that when we all unite together, we are more powerful,” Obsidian Tiburón said, an Orlando 50501 member.
Tiburón said workers’ rights, specifically those from Disney Springs who work under the parent company Patina, are crucial now more than ever.
Corey Hill, from Orlando 50501 and an organizer of the car caravan event, echoed the same message.
“We very frequently say one struggle, one fight at our events, because ultimately, a lot of the source of pain for us is interconnected,” Hill said, referencing his concerns over the Trump administration.
Specifically, Hill and others cited anger over job cuts, ICE raids, healthcare cuts, concerns for LGBTQ+ community’s rights, and more as reasons for hosting the event.
“All of these things are related to the sort of oppression that you’re seeing in the workplace, is related to what you’re seeing, where masked agents of the state are kidnaping people off the streets. These are all human rights violations,” Hill said.
Those who participated in the Orlando caravan drove all the way to Disney World to advocate for better worker contracts and treatment for those who specifically are working under the umbrella company Patina at Disney Springs.
Unite Here Local 737 said there have been recent discussions of a potential strike vote for patina workers.
