President Obama delivers Labor Day speech to large crowd in Detroit

DETROIT (WXYZ) - President Obama delivered remarks to a large crowd that gathered in Detroit on Labor Day.

Thousands of people packed the GM Lot adjacent to the Renaissance Center for the free event.

The President spoke to the crowd about jobs and the importance of a strong middle class and labor movement.

"If you want to know who helped lay these cornerstones of an American middle class you just have to look for the union label," said President Obama. "That’s the bedrock this country is built on. Hard work. Responsibility. Sacrifice. Looking out for one another. Giving everybody a shot, everybody a chance to share in America’s prosperity, from the factory floor to the boardroom. That’s what unions are all about."

Mr. Obama was joined by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. A special program was also held ahead of his speech incuding a musical performance by the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

The President was joined by a host of labor leaders, including Bob King, the President of the UAW, and James Hoffa, the President of the Teamsters. People in the crowd kept chanting "four more years."

During his speech, the President referred to the Chrysler ad featuring Eminem saying "As the ad says, the city has been to heck and back, but I see a city that is coming back."

"Times are tough, but we are tougher," the President said.

The President told the crowd that he continues to fight for the middle class and says both parties should work together to solve our problems.

“The time for Washington games is over, the time for action is now,” said the President.

On Thursday night, the President will lay out his jobs plan before a joint session of Congress. In that speech, he is expected to call for a mix of individual and business tax credits and public works spending.