On Labor Day, Richmond joined dozens of cities across the country where workers and community members rallied under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires.”
In Richmond, the crowd gathered not for a barbecue but in front of the Frank Hagel Federal Building on Nevin Avenue, chanting and waving signs that read “Justice for students, not profits for billionaires” and “Teachers working conditions equal student learning conditions.”
The demonstration was organized by a coalition of labor unions, community groups, and immigrant rights advocates as part of a national day of action. Organizers said their aim was to push back against what they described as a “billionaire takeover” of government. They called for fully funded public schools, protection of Social Security and Medicaid, stronger immigrant protections, and greater investment in housing, health care, and community needs instead of policing and war.
Mitzi Perez, a Kennedy High School career technical education teacher and Richmond native, brought the focus to classrooms. Perez questioned why billionaires hold so much sway over decisions that affect students while teachers face low pay, job insecurity, and shrinking programs. Perez urged educators to prepare for a fight to defend their schools and their students.“Why are billionaires valued over the masses? Why are they deciding what classes our students have and don’t have?” Perez said, “Enough is enough. It’s time to gear up and be strike-ready, because it’s coming.”…