ASHEVILLE N. C.— “Rain or shine, hold the line!” rang out against the sleet and rain outside of the Federal Building on April 11. Local unions held a rally demanding an end to the attacks on unions and federal workers by the Trump administration and Elon Musk.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the Asheville City Association of Educators (ACAE) were at the rally, along with members of the Central Labor Council of the Western North Carolina (WNC) region, demanding worker protections. Members of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) attended the rally as well, standing in solidarity with workers, chanting and demanding that workers’ rights be protected in the face of the Trump regime.
As federal workers continue to fight for their jobs, the workers of Asheville stood in solidarity as what seemed like even the weather fought against them. Sleet bounced off the concrete as the rain soaked each worker on the line, their signs saturated. A strong stance was taken, one that spoke volumes towards the unity of workers in the region, but also the country at large.
Despite the rainwater, signs such as “Nobody elected Elon Musk!” and “Billionaires out! Workers in!” were held by the workers as cars drove by and honked in solidarity.
“Hey hey! Ho ho! Elon Musk has got to go!” could be heard once more, a common refrain in the Asheville area for protestors. ACAE’s Tim Lloyd banged the drums while workers chanted for the removal of Elon Musk from the federal government.
As workers passed the rally, many called out in solidarity, expressing support for both unions and the messaging of the rally itself. Some even came and spoke with the rally goers, who had come from all over the WNC region. Some attendees even drove from over an hour away to stand in solidarity with both organized and unorganized workers.
More and more sleet poured down onto the workers, who refused to turn and run from the cold weather. A clear revolutionary spirit could be felt as veterans, healthcare workers, educators, custodians, service workers, and more stood together in solidarity. Both against the natural elements, seemingly testing their resolve, and those who would heckle them for demanding protection against the billionaire agenda.
One heckler was seen giving the Sieg Heil—a known Nazi salute—in an attempt to intimidate the workers from continuing the protest. This feeble attempt was met with a mixture of uncomfortable silence and chanting as the heckler left the area.
People’s World spoke with several workers at the rally who expressed their frustration at the lack of transparency and democratic function from the federal government. “It’s not right,” said one of the rally goers, “Elon Musk wasn’t elected!”
Despite the few hecklers, most workers who came across the rally held a positive view of the action. Solidarity amongst the working class in Asheville was on display with each honking of the horn and each fist held up in the air. One driver was heard clearly demanding to “Break out the guillotines!” Which was met with victorious whoops and cheering.
Both retired and active workers spoke about the lack of democratic values on display by DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and the dissolution of the people’s will as federal workers’ rights and jobs continue to be stripped further and further. The most visible effect on federal workers being laid off and fired will be felt by the Veterans Health Administration Medical Center, which includes nurses, doctors, technicians, phone operators, administrative clerks, custodians, and many more positions.
All of whom are federal workers who hold federal jobs. All of which may, and in fact are, compromised by the undemocratic and haphazard scalping of non-military and non-police governmental functions.
Federal workers in the South, organizing themselves to protect what few gains they have, continue to feel the unending pressure from on high. As federal workers continue to fight for their livelihoods, their communities, and their families, they have been shown on April 11 that there are plenty of others who will continue to stand in solidarity with them.
As the poor weather finally abated, the rally workers began discussing future actions to build working-class solidarity. Events planned weeks in advance, such as an open hearing on April 17, were discussed, where workers can come to testify about their experiences under the pressures of capitalism in the South, especially after Hurricane Helene hit.
Congratulations were shared with all who weathered the unforgiving cold. The final message was that of dual power and working-class solidarity. The people of Asheville walked away from the front steps of the Asheville Federal Building with smiles and hope for success in the future. The final message of the rally could practically be heard singing in the air:
“When workers are under attack! Stand up! Fight Back!”
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