A “Workers Over Billionaires Labor Day Rally”was held Monday on North First Avenue in front of Market Square.
The protest was organized by May Day Strong, a movement that started on May 1 this year, according to Marion Hill, who is a longtime member of the Bryan County Democratic Party.
“It’s going to build as a coalition, I think, and it’s one of a number of organizations organizing this event and a thousand more across the country,” Hill said. “We just feel it’s so important to speak up right now because this administration is doing some really awful things that are against what working people in this country need and want to have done, and Labor Day is an especially good day to speak out on behalf of workers over billionaires.”
According to Hill, more people are saying they want to do something and make their voices heard. While another rally is not immediately planned, Hill expects there to be more of them in the future.
“This is an ongoing coalition and we’re making sure we have contact information for all the people who are here today so that we can contact them about future events,” Hill said. “Yes, it will continue.”
Jane Hicks was another one of the protesters and she said Durant is her hometown and that she is proud.
“We’ve got a great library, the police come and support us and a lot of people here who disagree with me, still love me and this is still my place in the world that I just want to see it get better,” Hicks said. “I think this country is in dire distress from being run by big corporations and billionaires.
“I was in business for decades and to a businessperson, you can see it happening and it’s corrupt and it’s not good for working people. It never will be good for the elderly or the disabled or the children. Our children are really going to suffer under the Big Beautiful Bill and Project 2025, and that’s why we’re here.”
Hicks said that even three and a half percent of the population coming to a rally can make a difference.
“That’s the only reason we got women’s rights or just letting gay people live their life, who they are,” Hicks said.
“I’m just really happy to be home and I want to see the best for this community and I want to be part of the whole community, not just the people who are branded as thinking in a particular way because all of us think outside the box and around the box. Come on, Republican or Democrat.”
