As an estimated 100 million people prepare to watch the first U.S. presidential debate Monday, social movements are taking advantage of the media spotlight to criticize the U.S. electoral process and demand change.

IN DEPTH:
War for the White House

Protests are taking place at Hofstra University on Long Island in New York, the venue of the first debate between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Organizations such as Fight for $15, the Green Party, and the Communist Party New York are among those planning to protest.

Kendall Fells, organizing director of Fight for $15, said up to 1,500 workers from across the state had agreed to walk off the job to protest at the campus. The movement seeks to pressure the candidates to raise the minimum wage to US$15 an hour.

The Green Party meanwhile, has organized a Hofstra Debate Protest and Civil Disobedience event outside the gates of the university.