More than 100 protesters were arrested on McDonald’s headquarters property in Illinois during a rally call for more money for fast-food workers — but labor rights activists are hardly throwing in the towel.
The protest group was planning additional rallies to demand starting pay rates of $15 per hour for fast-food workers for Thursday, a media advisory stated.
“Hours after 101 McDonald’s employees were arrested in the largest-ever labor protest to hit the company, 1,000 workers and supporters will return to McDonald’s sprawling headquarters to call for $15/hr. and the right to form a union,” the media advisory in support of FastFoodGlobal.org stated.
The protest is timed to coincide with the company’s shareholders meeting.
Local media outlet WWLP.com reported that the arrest scene from the Wednesday protests at McDonald’s headquarters was chaotic. The outlet also said that most of the protesters were bused in to the area, and some even hailed from other cities.
Oakbrook authorities said they counted 32 buses and around 1,000 to 1,500 protesters on the company[’s property. Police wearing riot gear were called to the scene and ordered the protesters to leave several times, WWLP.com reported.
More than 100 were arrested for criminal trespassing.
“McDonald’s is the leader of the industry,” protest organizer Kendall Fells told CNN. “It’s the fastest-growing industry in the country. These workers are here to look shareholders in the face to say we do work for you, we are grown, and we’re not going to live in poverty while you take home millions.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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