Hundreds Protest 'Billionaires Over Workers' At Temecula Duckpond, Across RivCo

TEMECULA, CA — Protesters took to the streets for "Workers Over Billionaires" demonstrations Monday in Temecula and across Riverside County as part of a nationwide Labor Day effort by unions and other groups.

The rallies were organized by May Day Strong, a partnership of various labor, political and environmental organizations that bills itself as "working people rising up to stop the billionaire takeover — not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement."

"Working people built this nation, and we know how to take care of each other. We won't back down — we will never stop fighting for our families and the rights and freedoms that ensure access to opportunity and a better life for all Americans," organizers said. "The billionaires' time is up."

At the Temecula Duck Pond & Veterans Memorial, motivational speaker Gillian Larson — an immigrant and U.S. citizen — shared her thoughts on the weekend with Patch.

She said she was encouraged by people of all ages, races, colors, and religions speaking out about what's happening in the country.

"We feel we need to show up with others to say, 'this is not a left or right issue; this is an issue about right or wrong," she told Patch. "It is so wrong. I grew up in South Africa, and I have seen what hate, division, and non-acceptance can do to a country for ages. I hate to see that happening in this country."

Larson, a retired nurse, became a citizen in 1986 and votes with pride every election, she said. She was a contestant on "Survivor: Gabon Season 17" and has supported the local charity Michelle's Place for many years with her recently retired "Reality Rally."

The weekend's rally was one of three recent rallies Larson has joined in Temecula.

"(My husband and I) have gone to all three protests, all of different sizes, and yesterday's was the smallest with about 500 people," she said. People lined all the way from the entrance to the duckpond, and up to the OBC restaurant."

"I'm so pleased to see so many people in Temecula participating," from people with walkers and wheelchairs to people bringing their children just to say 'We don't like this.'"

On Labor Day, despite the heat, people expressed a desire to come together, share their thoughts, and send letters to congressmen, while also encouraging youth to register to vote, she said.

"It's important for the young to realize they can register to vote now, " Larson added.

Event organizers urged people to speak out in their communities and at the ballot box.

"The billionaires continue to wage a cruel war on working people, with their cronies in the administration, ICE and law enforcement backing up their attacks," organizers said. "This Labor Day, we will continue to stand strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, shared prosperity over corporate politics."

May Day Strong is calling for:

• Protecting and defending "Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs for working people";
• "Fully funded schools, and health care and housing for all";
• "Stop the attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, and all our communities"; and
• "Invest in people not wars."

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told City News Service that "no one has done more for working men and women than President Trump. President Trump believes that American workers are the heart and soul of our economy, which is why he has championed an agenda that always puts them first — from signing the largest middle-class tax cuts in history to securing nearly $10 trillion in new investments to create high-paying jobs across the country. Under President Trump's leadership, Republicans are once again the proud party of the American worker."