Police Ticket, Arrest 30 Detroit Fast-food Protesters
2:04 PM, September 4, 2014
By JC Reindl
Detroit Free Press Business Writer
Detroit police are on the scene of the McDonald's in Detroit where more than 100 demonstrators shut down the intersection of Mack and Canyon on Thursday.
More than 100 demonstrators shut down an east-side Detroit intersection Thursday as part of a labor-organized national fastfood strike.
Detroit police said they ticketed and released 24 demonstrators for disorderly conduct and another six for arrested for outstanding traffic warrants. Officers said protestors sat in the roadway at Mack and Moran and refused to leave. The protestors blocked traffic for about a half hour, police said.
“They didn’t have to leave — they just had to get out of the roadway —and they refused,” said Detroit Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt. “As long as you’re peaceful, we’re good, but you can’t block the roadway.”
Police said protestors complied with officers and no force was used during any of these arrests.
The demonstration started after 6 a.m. after many of the participants arrived on buses in matching T-shirts. A news release said the demonstrators are seeking $15-an-hour wages and the right to form a union without interference.
The event was spearheaded by the national Service Employees International Union, which held or planned demonstrations Thursday in as many as 150 U.S. cities, including Lansing and Flint.
A similar labor-led event involving walkouts and protests at Detroit-area fast food restaurants was staged in May 2013.
The participants in today’s event were to include home health care workers, local clergy and employees of local McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway, Taco Bell, KFC, Popeye’s and Tim Horton’s restaurants as well as Little Caesars.
Those arrested outside the McDonald’s at 18201 Mack Ave. could face charges of blocking traffic and disorderly conduct, said Detroit police Sgt. Howard Phillips.
Workers inside the McDonald’s said the restaurant remained opened throughout today’s demonstration.
Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JCReindl
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| Demonstration on Detroit's east side demanding higher wages for fast food workers. |
By JC Reindl
Detroit Free Press Business Writer
Detroit police are on the scene of the McDonald's in Detroit where more than 100 demonstrators shut down the intersection of Mack and Canyon on Thursday.
More than 100 demonstrators shut down an east-side Detroit intersection Thursday as part of a labor-organized national fastfood strike.
Detroit police said they ticketed and released 24 demonstrators for disorderly conduct and another six for arrested for outstanding traffic warrants. Officers said protestors sat in the roadway at Mack and Moran and refused to leave. The protestors blocked traffic for about a half hour, police said.
“They didn’t have to leave — they just had to get out of the roadway —and they refused,” said Detroit Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt. “As long as you’re peaceful, we’re good, but you can’t block the roadway.”
Police said protestors complied with officers and no force was used during any of these arrests.
The demonstration started after 6 a.m. after many of the participants arrived on buses in matching T-shirts. A news release said the demonstrators are seeking $15-an-hour wages and the right to form a union without interference.
The event was spearheaded by the national Service Employees International Union, which held or planned demonstrations Thursday in as many as 150 U.S. cities, including Lansing and Flint.
A similar labor-led event involving walkouts and protests at Detroit-area fast food restaurants was staged in May 2013.
The participants in today’s event were to include home health care workers, local clergy and employees of local McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway, Taco Bell, KFC, Popeye’s and Tim Horton’s restaurants as well as Little Caesars.
Those arrested outside the McDonald’s at 18201 Mack Ave. could face charges of blocking traffic and disorderly conduct, said Detroit police Sgt. Howard Phillips.
Workers inside the McDonald’s said the restaurant remained opened throughout today’s demonstration.
Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JCReindl
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