
Police dispersed crowds in multiple cities, arresting workers and supporters participating in the largest anti-Walmart rallies since November 23, 2012.
Demonstrators in New York City were arrested while trying to deliver a petition directly to board member Christopher Williams at his office on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The petition demanded that Walmart begin providing workers with an annual wage of $25,000 and enact policies that better protect workers against discrimination.
Three workers, from a group of approximately 20 people, were detained and charged with disorderly conduct for trespassing and blocking the entrance to the building.
The protests come just weeks after an assembly of Walmart workers demanded the reinstatement of 20 employees who were allegedly fired for participating in strikes in early June. Our Walmart, a union-backed members group, told The Guardian that it has filed over 100 unfair labor practice charges against the big-box store with the National Labor Relations Board. Walmart’s corporate board said it was investigating “several cases.”
Walmart spokesperson Kory Lundberg told the Huffington Post that the protests are “just a show” and do not affect the company’s morale. The corporation has denied any wrongdoing.
“With very few exceptions, the cast members don’t work for Walmart nor are they affiliated with the company in any way,” Lundberg said.
Hundreds gathered outside the Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles where Yahoo CEO and Walmart board member Marissa Mayer lives in a Penthouse apartment.
A SWAT team arrested peaceful protesters in Renton, Washington, located just outside Seattle. Officers donning riot gear and armed with large rifles encircled a group gathered in the streets – a technique used throughout the Occupy movement to prevent photos from being taken.

The civil disobedience - which was also reported in Chicago, Boston, Sacramento, Miami, and Dallas – follows a string of fast food protests in which employees of major chains demanded higher wages. More events are expected in the coming weeks in Washington, where the city council recently passed a bill requiring major chains to pay workers at least $12.50 an hour.
Source: RT
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