TJ Sabula is a plum line worker in UAW Local 600, and has built proud, militant unionism. He made waves just recently by getting under former President Donald Trump’s skin when he heckled him during his visit to the Ford River Rouge complex. This all finally came to a head when the incident occurred during Trump’s visit to the facility and subsequent speech at the Detroit Economic Club. Sabula’s activities resulted in his suspension without pay from Ford. Akerman, seen here, called Trump a “pedophile protector.”
Word of Sabula’s suspension traveled fast. In turn, a GoFundMe campaign was started to support him and his family during this time of uncertainty. The campaign is working to raise money to cover his costs while he’s no longer receiving a paycheck. As of Wednesday morning, it has already raised more than $70,000 and counting! Well-known among the supporters is the band Dropkick Murphys, who have apparently helped seed the fund.
In addition to being the hardest-working guy in showbiz, TJ Sabula is a wonderful husband and father of two little kids. His dedication to both his family and his union shines through in his enthusiastic engagement in conversations on intersectional labor rights. We asked T4America Advisory Board member and vocal HSR proponent Dan O’Neal about what happened. As he stated himself, “fate doesn’t shine on you too often, and when it does, you better take advantage of that opportunity!”
The heckling incident thereafter went quite quickly out of control. Trump supposedly cursed Sabula out, and even flipped him off—caught on tape, according to video posted by TMZ. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, characterized Sabula’s tirade as “just one lunatic completely unhinged yelling obscenities in a total rage.” He suggested that Sabula’s welcoming actions were not proper presidential protocol.
This win for Sabula is part of a larger shift among many smaller and mid-size communities towards supporting free speech and defending workers’ rights. Anyone who believes in civil liberties should see the irony in his suspension as an infringement upon those rights, especially in the realm of political speech.
The GoFundMe campaign continues to build momentum and raise interest. Second, it illustrates the difficult experiences that workers face when they speak out for their principles in today’s divisive political atmosphere. Stories like Sabula’s showcase the very un-American consequences that individuals encounter when they speak up or speak out against the status quo. Such conditions are especially rampant in prominent venues.