A Labor Day rally at the S.C. State House attracted about 300 people Monday. They listened first to pro-union and pro-worker speakers, then marched to the U.S. Post Office and back to the State House. The midday rally, with its decidedly left-of-mainstream political views, was peaceful and full of energetic cheers as the speeches went on. It took place under sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s.

As rallygoers marched down Main Street to conclude the event, city police blocked traffic, a trumpet sounded “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and a drum beat out a rapid cadence. Marchers chanted, “The workers united will never be defeated” and their voices echoed off downtown office building walls. The march to the Post Office was to show solidarity with postal workers, organizers said.  

Anson Foster, an organizer for the AFL-CIO and one of the leaders of the event that attracted about a dozen speakers, said in an interview that workers, union members and community groups were rallying to “demonstrate the power of the working class” and defend such common interests as health care, Social Security and veterans’ benefits. 

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Another speaker, Lynn Teague, vice president of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina, urged the audience to get engaged, “really” understand the issues and vote. “They need to get out there for all the elections,” she told a State newspaper reporter after her speech. “Primaries are more important than (the general election) in November.” 

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