It’s hard to know what to make of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s call for a “general strike” at the October 18th No Kings protest. On one hand, there are people hearing that term for the first time and possibly opening up to the idea of making one a reality. On the other hand, a large gap exists between announcing the need for one and actually setting in place the social infrastructure and organization required for strikes of any size.
We welcome Johnson’s rhetoric, but we can’t take any comfort in it.
“If my ancestors, as slaves, can lead the greatest general strike in the history of this country, taking it to the ultra-rich and big corporations, we can do it too!”
-Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson
10/18/2025, No Kings Protest
Instead, we need to use these calls as momentum to focus on the work of being ready for one. We can work to organize and support our communities, neighbors, and workplaces so that we don’t need to rely on anyone above us to make a general strike successful.
As we build power with our fellow tenants, we build a city where we have each other’s backs in these dangerous times.
We must support striking neighbors and make sure those taking risks to fight their landlords and bosses have full stomachs and beds to sleep in because they are working to ensure we all do.
We can see the urgency of this moment and support a call to strike for lasting change, but it will always be on us to build the solidarity, care, and organization needed to actually make it happen. Tenant unions can play a strong part in giving us the power we need to make a real change – this is the time, this is the moment.
See our resources page for links to Mutual Aid and Legal Resources.
