In their campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, thousands of fast-food workers walked off their jobs yesterday.
The nationwide protest took place in more than 150 cities, organized and supported by local community coalitions, Fight for 15, and labor unions, including the SEIU.
Photos and videos of protests flooded social media, gaining enough traction to make it on Twitter’s trending topics—#FastFoodStrike.
>>> Chart: How Much Fast-Food Prices Would Rise If Employers Paid $15 an Hour
Just days before the protest, President Obama told labor organizers at Laborfest 2014 that he supports the unionization of service industry workers.
“If I were busting my butt in the service industry and wanted an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, I’d join a union. … I’d want a union looking out for me.” – (51:20)
SEIU President Mary Kay Henry rallied with fast-food workers in California, promising the union’s support: “We are going to fight with you until you win $15 in a union from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and this entire industry.”
#StrikeFastFood @MaryKayHenry joins the #FastFood workers as they prepare to march. pic.twitter.com/osllVig4Fb
— SEIU California (@seiucalifornia) September 4, 2014
Here are some highlights from the nationwide #StrikeFastFood protest:
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, IL-9 and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, IL-4 protested with striking fast food workers in Illinois.
.@fightfor15 thank you for all of your efforts. I was very proud to stand w/ all of you, the workers and @RepGutierrez in the #FightFor15!
— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) September 4, 2014
Congressional Reps @janschakowsky & Luis Gutierrez are here in support of #strikefastfood despite rain. pic.twitter.com/NjxXVfTyOu
— Action Now (@ActionNowChi) September 4, 2014
New York:
Fast food workers in 100 cities on strike today. This isn't a protest, it's a movement. #StrikeFastFood #RaiseUpNY pic.twitter.com/d6U8thqAuf
— Citizen Action of NY (@citizenactionny) September 4, 2014
Massachusetts:
This just happened in downtown #Boston #StrikeFastFood @caulkthewagon @joshua_eaton @StrikeBOS pic.twitter.com/Vo82BMaL2R
— Amy (@rebelgirl509) September 4, 2014
Missouri:
"We won't survive on $7.25!" Memphis and St Louis protesting together #StrikeFastFood pic.twitter.com/jgF2fAF8rN
— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) September 4, 2014
California:
NOW: Heroic McDonalds workers & community allies blocking major street in LA demanding a fair wage! #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/786W0GXIw8
— Mike Prysner (@MikePrysner) September 4, 2014
Texas:
https://twitter.com/TXOrgProject/status/507579583277719552
Illinois:
#fastfood strikers blocking major traffic in Cicero! #strikefastfood pic.twitter.com/4upwISRTmN
— Fight for a Union (@FightForAUnion) September 4, 2014
.@janschakowsky standing with striking fast food workers #FastFoodStrike pic.twitter.com/NWngs73Z82
— Progress Illinois (@progressIL) September 4, 2014
Breaking: it's official, Chicago is On Strike!! #FightFor15 #strikefastfood pic.twitter.com/pu0ZBYVgPp
— Arise Chicago (@AriseChicago) September 4, 2014
Georgia:
HANDS UP. Atlanta fast food workers keep 'em where police can see 'em as arrests proceed @ATLRaiseUp #StrikeFastFood pic.twitter.com/y3d0UsVJGy
— SEIU (@SEIU) September 4, 2014
Workers from @Wendys in #Atlanta are ready to do "Whatever It Takes" for $15/hr & union rights #strikefastfood pic.twitter.com/6akurs4bqx
— Fight for 15 Iowa (@FightFor15IA) September 4, 2014
Michigan:
Dozens of #FastFoodStrike protesters arrested in Detroit during campaign for better wages. http://t.co/RJcixrXT1m pic.twitter.com/zDlRdCfAb7
— Mashable (@mashable) September 4, 2014
We are live in Detroit! #StrikeFastFood pic.twitter.com/wiUiHtI4d3
— Michigan Home Care Workers United (@MIHCWUnited) September 4, 2014
SEIU President Marge Robinson joins workers from Flint, Burton and Redford. #StrikeFastFood #solidarity pic.twitter.com/PWx2zD3A2V
— Michigan Home Care Workers United (@MIHCWUnited) September 4, 2014
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