Chicago: Over 100 arrested near McDonald's headquarters in protest over low pay

[Scuba]

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/may/21/mcdonalds-closes-corporate-hq-chicago-protest

Campaigners say 139 people arrested in Chicago in what is thought to be the largest protest McDonald's has ever faced

McDonald’s closed part of its corporate headquarters on Wednesday in response to a mass protest by workers and activists that campaigners say ended in more than 100 arrests.

Over 2,000 people calling for a hike in the minimum wage and the right to form a union without retaliation descended on the fast food giant’s suburban Chicago headquarters in what is believed to be the largest demonstration McDonald’s has ever faced. Chanting, “Hey McDonald’s You Can’t Hide, We Can See Your Greedy Side,” and “No Big Macs, No Fries, Make our Wage Supersize,” protesters blocked the entrance to McDonald’s campus in Oakbrook, some 20 miles outside Chicago.

A short walk from Hamburger University, McDonald’s training center, the protesters were confronted by a phalanx of police officers in riot gear. After they sat down the police issued two orders to disperse and arrests began.

Police said 101 McDonald's workers and 38 community supporters were arrested. McDonald’s workers, church leaders and Service Employees International Union president Mary Kay Henry were among those arrested.

Thank you protesters!!!

[winter is coming]

1. Someone's starting to get worried.

I expect we'll see more arrests, and probably some violent ones, as the year goes by.

[frazzled]

2. Not Chicago: It was Oak Brook, IL

Just for the record, since the word "Chicago" conjures much gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands here. Neither Chicago nor the Chicago PD had anything to do with this.

Hundreds of McDonald's workers and community activists staged a protest Wednesday near the fast-food chain's headquarters in Oak Brook, seeking a wage increase to at least $15 per hour for employees.

The demonstration was peaceful, with 138 protesters presenting their IDs to police and allowing themselves to be arrested and led to a bus, one-by-one, on a hot afternoon. The Oak Brook Police Department said the arrests were made for “criminal trespass to property” and that those arrested could face a fine.


http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-21/business/chi-mcdonalds-protests-20140521_1_heidi-barker-sa-shekhem-chief-executive-don-thompson-mcdonald

[MohRokTah]

3. The McDonalds HQ is a large building in an even larger parking lot.

You cannot get lose without getting on McDonald's property.

[frazzled]

4. What does that have to do with my post? /nt

[MohRokTah]

5. It explains why they were arrested for trespassing.

They wouldn't have got within 100 feet of the building without trespassing.

[frazzled]

6. I knew why.

My post was about how this was not in Chicago.

[MohRokTah]

7. I figured you knew why

But anybody who would have needed clarification about where the headquarters actually is wouldn't have a clue as to why they would be arrested for trespassing.

It wasn't for you, it was for those who needed your clarification as to where McDonald's headquarters actually is. It was for your readers.

[arely staircase]

8. k/r nt

[maggiesfarmer]

9. sounds like a well organized protest...

from the way it reads, the protesters knew they were breaking the law, they expected to get arrested and they peacefully cooperated with the arresting officers. from that point of view, it was a huge success.

[JoeyT]

10. Meanwhile no arrests at the Bundy ranch. n/t