U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown continued to criticize President Donald Trump’s administration Monday for what she said are his attacks on organized labor. 

Brown, who oversees the annual Labor Day parade in Cleveland, has attended labor rallies for months, including ones for federal workers and for postal workers. 

The annual event launched from East 147th Street and Kinsman Avenue and lasted more than two hours before ending at Cleveland’s Luke Easter Park. As it does every year, the parade attracted Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials running for office. 

This year’s event also featured several candidates for statewide office, including Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, who is running for governor in 2026. She could be heard reminding parade watchers of the role she played during the COVID-19 pandemic. She served as Gov. Mike DeWine’s health director during the pandemic’s early days.

Democratic former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is running for Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s seat in 2026, rallied attendees at the end of the parade.

Started in the early 1970s by Mayor Carl B. Stokes and his brother, longtime U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes, the parade has always been infused with Democratic politics, often attracting elected officials from Cleveland and beyond. 

As in years past, the event also attracted school bands, fraternities and sororities, historic cars and trucks with loud speakers, dancers and labor groups.