(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Led by Organized Labor, in concert with nearly three dozen Activist Constituency Groups and the local community, a couple of thousand people gathered in Buffalo’s Niagara Square in front of City Hall on Saturday (June 22nd) to stand up against President Donald Trump’s authoritarian and fascists stands, and recent escalations targeting Working People.

Building off the momentum of more than 2,000 No Kings events that were recently held across the country, including one here in Buffalo, the so-named Buffalo United Coalition - which Labor is a part of, is working to oppose fascism and authoritarianism, strengthen relationships with allies - and say, with one voice: “We will not sit idly by as this Administration attacks us. Collectively, we will work to defend our neighbors, our people, our planet, our Democracy and ourselves to build the future we deserve.”

A multitude of signs were held and raised high above the heads of those who participated in the two-hour rally many in the crowd marched and chanted through the streets of Downtown. 

Some of their signs read: No Human Is Illegal, Abolish Ice, Freedom From Fear, The Current President & His GOP Supports The Enemy From Within, Congress - Stand Up For The USA, Save Democracy, Impeach Agent Orange, Fight Truth Decay - No More Lies Or Democracy Dies.

They also chanted: “They say cut back. We say fight back.  No Trump! No KKK! No Fascist USA!”

The Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation and Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council were joined by a bevy of Unions, including 1199 Service Employees International Union, the American Federation of Government Workers, the Communications Workers of America, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the National Association of Broadcasters & Technicians, the National Association of Letter Carriers, New York State United Teachers, the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades, the United Farm Workers, and the United University Professions, to name but a few.

Among those many constituency groups participating were the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety & Health, the Coalition for Economic Justice, the Clean Air Coalition, the Partnership for the Public Good, the Pride Center of Western New York and the Western New York Peace Center, to also name but a few.

Several speakers took the stage to tell the crowd: “The only minority that is ruining the country are billionaires;” “This is another moment in time when WE can take care of OURSELVES;” “We will not tolerate body snatchers (in reference to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) abducting alleged undocumented people).”

Denise Abbott (Pictured Above/Photo Courtesy Of CWA 1122's Lori Godwin-Marranca Via Facebook), who serves as President of the 90,000-Member Buffalo Labor Council, told those in attendance: “The Labor Movement is built on a foundation that recognizes certain truths, ones this administration is trying to deny, ignore or outright violate on a daily basis. The Union Movement operates using a principle that brings us here today to this shared fight: Solidarity. Not just showing up for our own people, but showing up and fighting - without hesitation, for our Brothers, Sisters and Siblings, as hard as we would for ourselves and our families. It is a radical act in this time to have the moral clarity to fight for someone you don't know because you know it's the right thing to do. We've seen this Administration arrest U.S. Senators and Union Presidents, and if that's what they do in front of the cameras, we know how they're treating the most vulnerable among us when the world isn't watching. No Worker - regardless of where you were born, the color of your skin, the way you live or love or anything else - every Worker deserves health and safety, a living wage and to be treated with dignity and respect. That’s not what we’re being given, but it’s what we’re fighting for. Corporate and political greed - lining the pockets of billionaires by taking food assistance away from children, taxing Union Dues and crippling our Health Care System - it isn't just unsustainable, it's immoral, and we'll keep fighting alongside all of you every step of the way.”

Grace Bogdanove (Pictured Below/Photo Courtesy Of CWA 1122's Lori Godwin-Marranca Via Facebook), who serves as 1199 SEIU Vice-President for WNY Nursing Homes, also spoke: “We are being stripped of health care and we are fighting back across the Nation. Our Members have gone on Strike here in Western New York so we can take care of our communities. Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will leave eleven million Americans uninsured and the cuts being made should reverberate (across the country). We need sensible and equitable health care in this country while Republicans in Congress are letting them take it away. We can’t be afraid or be disconnected - and we will not fall in line or accept it. We must stay engaged and it starts with each of us calling our elected representatives. It’s for all of us.”

CWA Local 1168 Organizer Ann Converso served as Mistress of Ceremonies at the rally and may have delivered the best line of the day when she said: “The ‘only ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) I want is in my beer!’”

WNYLaborToday.com Photos.