KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

While many Tullahoma residents enjoyed their days off for Labor Day, others spent the holiday making their voices heard at the “Workers over Billionaires” protest.

The Coffee County Democratic Party and other members of the community gathered on the sidewalks in front of Tullahoma High School on Monday, Sept. 1, to protest in fair of workers’ rights. The protest was one of many “Workers over Billionaires” protests that were taking place all over the country on Labor Day.

According to Coffee Democratic Party Chair Mike Stein, the protest was in part a response President Donald Trump and his administration’s recent comments about how Labor Day should not be utilized as a holiday.

“It’s important to remember why we have Labor Day,” Stein said. “People work hard for their money. They work too hard for their money, and they’re not making enough to make ends meets. So, the very least we could do is gather here on a beautiful day in Tullahoma, and stand up for workers’ rights and remind people why we have Labor Day in the first day.”

Stein said he was happy for the turnout as those holding signs and protesting understood that corporate profits were at an all-time high.

“Despite people getting paid more than they used get paid, it is still not enough to keep up with the inflation and the cost of just surviving,” he said.

Part of the protest included speeches from guests like Kelly Sue Waller from Tennessee Renters United, Cayden Blaylock from Coffee County Pride and Victoria Broderick, who will be running for the House of Representatives seat of Scott DesJarlais.

The Coffee County Democratic Party’s next event will be its Future Forward Meeting and town hall at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. The scheduled guest speaker for the event will be Chris Sanders, the executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, and candidates like Broderick will also be in attendance.

“It’s a great way for people to get involved, have their voices heard and ask actual questions from candidates who are running for office,” Stein said.

For more information, visit the Coffee County Democratic Party’s website or follow its Facebook page.