Labor/Economics/Business

ATU protests on Mayday against Metro Access cuts

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 05/01/2015 - 14:18

On Mayday, May 1 2015, the Amalgamated Transit Union or ATU showed up in front of Metro's headquarters. They were demanding an 8 hour workday and cancellation of proposed cuts in Metro Access, Metro's disability transit system. Mayday celebrates the victory by unions in reducing working days that were once as long as 16 hours to 8 hours a day and originated right here in the US. At this rally, Reverend Hagler cited the success of protesters in Baltimore in forcing the indictment of all 6 cops that killed Freddie Grey as proof that fighting for justice works.

Labor/Economics/Business

TPP Opponents, striking contract workers march on US Capitol

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 04/22/2015 - 16:31

On the 22nd of April, hundreds of striking janitors,cooks, and other workers from Federal contractors marched on the US Capitol demanding $15 an hour and union representation. They were joined by a second group of activists protesting the TPP "fast track" bill that would allow any TPP deal a no-amendment, minimal debate up or down vote on a simple majority when most Senate business requires 60 votes.

Video-anti-TPP crazy train joins hundreds of striking contract workers on Capitol Hill

Globalization/Anti-globalization
Labor/Economics/Business

The TPP fast-track crazy train goes off the rails and into the streets

Unions march Trojan Horse to USTR against TPP fast-track

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 04/20/2015 - 16:22

On the 20th of April, unions members staged a march from the AFL-CIO's DC headquarters to the office of the United States Trade Representative against the TPP. The TPP is a proposed NAFTA style trade deal that would affect about 40% of the world and whose terms the negotiating parties are attempting to keep secret. The march featured a giant Trojan Horse as a warning against this secret treaty and the Congressional "fast-track" bill.

Video of the march starring the TPP Trojan horse

Globalization/Anti-globalization
Labor/Economics/Business

The TPP Trojan Horse, a plain brown box for Congress to vote on but not look inside

Civil rights protesters storm H St Wal-Mart, shut down registers

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 12/14/2014 - 23:08

On the 14th of December, civil rights protesters stormed into the Wal-Mart on H st for the 4th time. This time they stood their ground, and soon the cash registers were shut down. Some of the shoppers joined the protest. One of the cops or security guards claimed protesters would be arrested after ONE warning, not the three required by DC law. After a tense ten minutes and call by protesters for reinforcements, the activists exited the store and no arrests were reported.

Video of Wal-Mart occupation raw clips courtesy Netta and DeRay McKessa

Civil Liberites/Constitution
Labor/Economics/Business
Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

Erica Totten photo

Black Friday labor protesters march on Wal-Mart, get inside

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 11/28/2014 - 10:52

On Black Friday, also known as Buy Nothing Day, labor protesters including striking Wal-Mart associates marched on the 1st and H st Wal-Mart in the third protest there this week. Some of the protesters managed to get inside first in a trickle, then a flood before police pushed them out. Several protesters were shoved by the same cop, and some were also threatened.

Video focussing on the protest inside the Wal-Mart

Labor/Economics/Business

Strikers, supporters at Ga Ave Wal-Mart protest as store opens on holiday

Submitted by Luke on Thu, 11/27/2014 - 22:45

The new Wal-Mart stores in DC chose to open on the settler holiday known as Thanksgiving, a day most workers get to spend with their families. As they did, striking Wal-Mart associates backed by community activsts and supporters set up a mock dinner table outside the Ga Ave Wal-Mart to distribute cupcakes and fliers while they picketed. Police tried to intimidate them out of having a table on public space but Rev Hagler stood his ground and it was the police who backed away.

Video featuring Rev Hagler standing up to police attempts to force removal of the table from the protest

Labor/Economics/Business

Workers at H st Wal-Mart stage sit-in strike

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 13:35

On the 26th of November, associates at the 1st and H st Wal-Mart went on strike, staging a sit-in in the aisles of the store with picket signs. The demand is simple: that management stop retaliating against workers who demand pay raises or better conditions.
https://www.facebook.com/OURWMT

Labor/Economics/Business

Respect DC Photo

DC Ferguson marchers take over streets, storm Wal-Mart

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 01:27

On the 25th of November, thousands took to the streets for the second night of DC Ferguson protests responding the the grand jury's refusal to indict killer cop Darren Wilson. The protest took over the streets and blocked the intersection of NY Ave and 395 before marching south-and storming the Wal-Mart on H st. The only looting was the usual looting by Wal-Mart's bosses, stealing from their associates with their law wages and terrible working conditions. Protesters made it plain they were after management, not the associates actually working late to put food on their family tables.

Wal-Mart is known to have donated $10,000 to killer cop Darren Wilson's legal defense fund, so on Nov 25 DC Ferguson marchers "indicted" Wal-Mart for obstructing justice by storming the H st store!

Video:DC Ferguson storms H st Wal-Mart

Civil Rights/Equal Rights
Labor/Economics/Business
Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

Inside the Wal-Mart at 1st and H sts NW

Ferguson, USA: An Episode in the Class War

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/31/2014 - 10:37

On August 9 in Ferguson, a small suburb of St. Louis, a cop killed Michael Brown firing 6 bullets into him: this young black man, unarmed, with his arms raised in the air, had made the mistake of not responding to his order to walk on the sidewalk. Michael Brown was left like a dog in the street for several hours without even his parents allowed to come close to his body.There was generalized outrage at this crime among the population and successive violent protests for ten days.

Commentary/Op-ed
Labor/Economics/Business
Military/Weapons
Police/Legal/Prisons
Poverty
Race/Racism

Labor activists march on Walton Foundation, blockade K st; 16 arrested

Submitted by Luke on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 17:07

On the 16th of October, labor activists and Wal-Mart "associated" gathered in front of the AFL-CIO building at 16th and H sts. From there they marched on the offices of the Walton Foundation, where a sign bearing a petition for $15 an hour and full time hours for Wal-Mart workers was refused. The Walton Foundation sent building management to negotiate with protesters who entered the building, claiming the Walton Foundation office was closed and empty. This was a lie, people were sighted inside. With the petition refused, activists moved just north to the intersection of 18th st and K street and blocked the intersection for the next hour and a half. Eventually cops moved in, arresting 16 particpants in the civil disobediance.

Video of the march, Walton Foundation action, and K st blockade

Labor/Economics/Business

The view from inside the building housing the Walton Foundation's offices

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