Arkansans plan 'Workers over Billionaires' protests

With Labor Day coming up Monday, some workers in Arkansas will use the day to voice their displeasure with how the country is going under the Trump administration.

“Workers over Billionaires” protests are being held in Jonesboro, Little Rock and Fort Smith.

Mackenzie Baris, deputy director of programs for workers' rights organization Jobs with Justice, said workers feel like they are losing their rights.

"We are seeing right now a full-scale attack on our basic democratic rights to organize and to come together at work to protect our rights and to collectively work for better conditions through labor unions," Baris observed. "We’re seeing that first at the federal level."

They believe the way to stop the takeover is with collective action. The protests are a continuation of a movement launched in May.

In addition to protesting what is happening in the workforce, Baris pointed out they are concerned about what is happening with voting rights, social programs and attacks on marginalized communities.

"Unions are also a force to be able to protect our democracy outside the workplace as well," Baris asserted. "I think we’re seeing right now unions as part of a larger movement that is standing against attacks on our voting rights, redistricting that’s meant to undermine communities’ ability to participate in democracy."

Organizers said the events are nonviolent and all participants are expected to de-escalate any potential confrontation with anyone who disagrees with their values.