S2 INTELLIGENCE REPORT UPDATE

“WORKERS OVER BILLIONAIRES” LABOR DAY PROTESTS

Date: 250826-0030z
Threat Level: (3) Elevated YELLOW
Subject: Nationwide Labor Day Protests – 50501 Movement – Update
Original: https://magnethf.com/250822-0417z

SUMMARY

This update to the August 21, 2025, S2 Intelligence Report reflects new developments in the 50501 Movement’s “Workers Over Billionaires” Labor Day protests planned for September 1, 2025. The campaign has expanded from nearly 600 to over 2,000 events across all 50 states, driven by a virtual call on August 14, 2025, with 2,400 participants [0][11][16]. Protests continue to oppose Trump’s administration and billionaire influence, emphasizing nonviolent labor rights advocacy, with added focus on protecting Medicaid, Social Security, and marginalized communities [0][1][3][6]. The increased scale heightens the risk of localized unrest [0][3].

BACKGROUND

The 50501 Movement, originating in late 2024/early 2025 on Reddit (r/50501), is a decentralized coalition resisting Trump’s administration and Project 2025 [4][5][7]. Its 2025 protests, drawing millions, have targeted authoritarianism and championed worker rights, with Labor Day actions amplifying labor and populist themes [0][4][6][9][12].

UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS

This update incorporates new information since the August 21, 2025, report, reflecting the evolving scope and organization of the “Workers Over Billionaires” Labor Day protests.

Scope

• Increased Scale: Event count has surged from nearly 600 to over 2,000 across all 50 states, following an August 14 virtual call with 2,400 participants [0][11][16]. New locations include Flagstaff, AZ (City Hall Lawn, 5 PM); Seneca Falls, NY (Women’s Rights National Historical Park, 1 PM); Grants, NM (City Hall Park, 12 PM); and Oneonta, NY (Muller Plaza, 12 PM) [3][12]. Protests target congressional and corporate offices alongside public spaces like bridges and airports [3][12][16].
• Historical Context: Builds on May Day 2025’s 1,273 actions across 1,031 cities, indicating a growing movement [12][13].

Messaging

• Refined Demands: Protests now explicitly call for stopping the “billionaire takeover,” protecting Medicaid and Social Security, fully funding schools and healthcare, halting attacks on immigrants, Black, Indigenous, trans, and LGBTQ+ communities, and prioritizing people over wars [0][1][3][6]. New slogans include “Benefits over billionaires” and “Tax the rich. Close the gap.” [3][9].

Organizers

• Expanded Coalition: The coalition, led by 50501 and May Day Strong, now includes over 200 groups, with new endorsements from AFL-CIO (Liz Shuler), AFT (Randi Weingarten), SEIU, and UAW [0][1][3][20][22]. Additional community groups like North Alabama DSA and local chapters in Flagstaff and Seneca Falls have joined [3][12].

Mobilization

• Enhanced Efforts: Mobilization intensified with August 21 and 28 communications trainings and increased RSVPs via Mobilize.us [1][3][9]. Social media campaigns (#WorkersOverBillionaires, #MayDayStrong) and national calls continue to drive turnout, with projections of hundreds of thousands, potentially rivaling May Day’s scale [0][12][16].

Risk

• Heightened Concerns: The expanded scope (2,000+ events) increases the risk of transportation disruptions (e.g., at MSP Airport) and potential counter-protests, as seen in prior 50501 actions with effigy-related tensions [0][3][9][16]. No specific threats reported, but vigilance is advised [0].

Law Enforcement

• Updated Preparations: DHS and local police are intensifying social media monitoring and security at new protest sites (e.g., Flagstaff, Seneca Falls), with fusion centers focusing on real-time coordination [0][3].

ASSESSMENT

The rapid growth from 600 to 2,000+ events underscores the 50501 Movement’s momentum, driven by labor unions and populist sentiment [0][1][3]. The expanded coalition and refined demands strengthen the campaign’s appeal but complicate coordination across thousands of communities [0][12]. Risks of disruptions and counter-protests persist, particularly at new sites like congressional offices [3][9]. Monitoring remains critical in urban and politically divided areas. The reported scale aligns with sources but carries uncertainty due to decentralized planning [0][16].

MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS

• Monitor new protest sites (e.g., Flagstaff, Seneca Falls, Grants) and transportation hubs [0][3][16].
• Enhance social media tracking (#WorkersOverBillionaires) for escalation indicators [0][9][16].
• Strengthen security at congressional and corporate offices [0][3].
• Promote de-escalation training for law enforcement [0].

SOURCES

1. [0] Public Citizen – Workers Over Billionaires events climb to 500 across all 50 states: https://www.citizen.org
2. [1] UE – This Labor Day, Demand Workers Over Billionaires: https://www.ueunion.org
3. [2] 50501 Official Site – Movement background and event coordination: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
4. [3] May Day Strong – Labor Day 2025 events and demands: https://maydaystrong.org/
5. [4] InfluenceWatch – Detailed background on 50501 Movement: https://www.influencewatch.org/movement/50501-movement/
6. [5] Axios – Early 50501 protests: https://www.axios.com/2025/04/15/50501-protests-saturday-trump
7. [6] Newsweek – Explainer on the “50 States” anti-Trump protest movement: https://www.newsweek.com/50-states-anti-trump-protest-nationwide-50501-explainer-2026115
8. [7] Her Campus – Overview of 50501 Movement’s name, origins, and purpose: https://www.hercampus.com/culture/what-is-50501-movement-protest-organization-name-origins-explained/
9. [8] Copper Courier – Explainer on protests against Trump, Project 2025, and Elon Musk: https://coppercourier.com/opinion/what-is-the-50501-movement-an-explainer-on-the-protests-against-trump-project-2025-and-elon-musk/
10. [9] Mobilize.us – Workers Over Billionaires event page: https://www.mobilize.us/crooked/event/831231/
11. [10] Facebook (50501 Movement) – Post announcing Labor Day nationwide protest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/50501movement/posts/1109731620764166/
12. [11] Reddit (r/50501) – NH Labor Day rally with Congressman Ro Khanna: https://www.reddit.com/r/50501/comments/1mwonkm/workers_over_billionaires_labor_day_rally_with/
13. [12] Mobilize.us – Event listing for Labor Day protests: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/830108/
14. [13] Women’s March Action – Nationwide 50501 protest in Little Rock, AR: https://action.womensmarch.com/events/workers-over-billionaires-labor-day-nationwide-50501-protest
15. [14] Instagram – Reel promoting Labor Day event at Monroe Park: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNntnC0ADoZ/
16. [15] Instagram – Post promoting Labor Day event in Columbia, SC: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNimAkqM5ap/
17. [16] Instagram – Reel promoting Labor Day event at MSP Airport: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM31sjhvXBA/
18. [17] Facebook (50states50protests) – Call for national day of action: https://www.facebook.com/50states50protests/posts/join-the-call-tonight-gear-up-for-our-next-national-day-of-action-to-stop-the-bi/779062411308570/
19. [18] Reddit (r/50501Chicago) – Chicago rally announcement: https://www.reddit.com/r/50501Chicago/comments/1mrye17/chicago_labor_day_rally_91_11am_workers_over/
20. [19] Insider NJ – Press release on nearly 600 Labor Day events: https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/workers-over-billionaires-labor-day-events-climb-to-nearly-600-events-across-all-50-states/
21. [20] X (Working Families) – Post confirming union involvement: https://x.com/WorkingFamilies/status/1918035263541936364
22. [21] X (More Perfect US) – Post on Labor Day protest plans: https://x.com/MorePerfectUS/status/1918142103382835636
23. [22] X (AFLCIO) – Post on labor movement ties: https://x.com/AFLCIO/status/1908919569286148570
24. [23] Kent Street Coalition – NH events for Workers Over Billionaires: https://kentstreetcoalition.org/2025/08/17/workers-over-billionaires-events-in-new-hampshire-sept-1/