I’m walking down the street this morning when I was confronted by a rat.

Now, this is not an unusual occurrence for a New Yorker, but this was special.

In a fantastic election day protest, a construction workers union had set up a 25 foot tall, orange and pink, inflatable rat. The menacing rat had a giant sign taped to his chest saying, “Workers Have Rights.”

The union was protesting the construction company on a variety of issues such as unfair pay, unlicensed workers and unsafe conditions.

What does this have to do with the election today?

The construction site is right next to a polling place.

I’m sure that many folks, such as myself, saw the giant “Workers Have Rights” rat outside a polling place and were glad they had voted.

I had no idea the rat referenced the construction site until I was standing under it’s menacing glare and read a much smaller sign detailing the union’s grievances.

I think it’s a great way to protest — giant, scary, inflatable animals in fluorescent colors.