AFSCME President Saunders Leads Rally for Workers' Rights in D.C.

AFSCME Members Unite for Worker Rights in Nationwide 'No Kings' Events

Amidst a backdrop of growing calls for worker rights and union support, AFSCME members gathered at Washington D.C.'s No Kings event this past Saturday. The event, headlined by AFSCME President Lee Saunders, called for solidarity in the fight for worker rights and democracy across the nation.

In a powerful speech at the pre-march rally, Saunders emphasized the need for collective action against those who threaten workers' rights. “We cannot put up with folks who want to take our rights away from us. We’ve got to take the billionaires on in this country who want more power and wealth at the expense of working people,” he stated.

The Washington event was one of many as part of a nationwide movement, with over 3,300 'No Kings' rallies taking place across the country. The events, attended by more than 8 million people, saw AFSCME members participating from New York, Chicago, Oregon, California, and beyond. More details about the event can be found here.

Speakers at the Washington rally, hailing from various D.C.-based organizations, delivered messages advocating for freedom, public services, and civil rights. Saunders further rallied the crowd, saying, “Believe me, it doesn’t matter who you are or how you got here, we are all in the same boat now and right now we’re in the storm of our lives.”

Union members, donning AFSCME green, marched across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, expressing their reasons for participating. Marsha Mayo, a school crossing guard from AFSCME Local 709, shared her concerns about budget cuts affecting her job. More on her union, District Council 20, can be found here.

“I want to see a change in the way things are run, politically,” Mayo remarked, highlighting the need for political reform. Similarly, Kieaina Rious, another school crossing guard, emphasized the importance of educating youth on policy, stating, “These cuts affect a lot of people and their families.”

Greg Bailey from AFSCME Local 930, a conservator at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, praised the event's inclusivity. He noted, “We are the most prosperous nation in the history of humanity and for us to choose not to provide for the least among us is a terrible indictment of our country.” Additional information on Council 3 is available here.