Legislators pledged their support for workers. Typical was Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., who declared, “Elon Musk and his lackeys are fighting for the billionaires and we” in Congress “are fighting for us.”

The crowd was somewhat skeptical. Every lawmaker Shuler ushered to the microphone was greeted with cries of “Do something!” Only Rep. Stephen Horsford, D-Nev., a former top official with Unite Here Culinary Workers Local 226, responded. Gesturing to the federal courthouse of D.C., right across the street, he said, “We’re taking him [Musk] to court, and we’re going to win.”