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Black Friday protesters gathered to draw attention to low wages and poor working conditions for Walmart employees. VPC
Rosa Lozano, 29, of Washington, D.C., protests outside of Walmart wearing an oversized paper mâché mask of Walmart Chairman Rob Walton.(Photo: Natalie DiBlasio, USA TODAY)
Some Walmart shoppers looking for door-buster deals on Back Friday were met by protesters speaking out against the retailer's treatment of workers.
In what is being touted as the biggest organized protest of Walmart in the company's history, more than 1,600 demonstrations were organized by the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart).
Supporters on Friday called on Walmart and its owners to raise the pay to a minimum of $15 an hour while providing more consistent full-time work.
USA TODAY
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In Ohio, approximately 30 people showed up at the Evendale store to protest wages provided by Walmart owners.
The protesters met on the outer corner of the property before they marched through the parking lot and into the store. The group had several chants against the nation's largest private employer including, "Walmart, Walmart, you're no good. Treat your workers like you should."
The protesters went into the Walmart shouting, but cooperated with police when they were asked to leave. Many stayed afterwards and stood off Walmart's property at a nearby entrance to pass out fliers in support of different local businesses. No arrests were made on Friday morning.
"We're a grassroots movement," said Abby Friend, a protester from Cincinnati. "We're here today as a group of concerned consumers."
Protesters entered the Walmart store on Friday morning, but left when asked several times by police.(Photo: The Enquirer/Henry Molski)
In Washington, D.C., several protesters picketed outside the H St. location, which is walking distance from the Capitol.
Rosa Lozano, 29, of Washington, D.C., said she would spend her Black Friday protesting outside the store. In a crowd of hundreds, Lozano wore an oversized paper mâché mask of Walmart Chairman Rob Walton.
"We are here in support of workers that went on strike for respect on the job," she said. "They deserve more benefits, more pay and a better work environment. Especially now in the holiday season, they are struggling to support their families."
Adrien Schless-Meier, 24, of Washington, D.C., held a yellow sign reading, "Walmart: Respect DC," and cheered along with the crowd, which started the protest at 8 a.m. in Columbus Circle.
A crowd of more than 100 protested outside of the Walmart on H St. in Washington, D.C., on Friday.(Photo: Natalie DiBlasio, USA TODAY)
"Anyone who works full time in the U.S. should be paid a livable wage," she says. "Walmart has been ruthless and aggressive."
The OUR Walmart protests were also met with the approval of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
"We're standing with these workers to help them win better wages and schedules at Walmart, and we are going to continue to stand with Walmart workers until they have the hours and pay they need to support their families," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga in a prepared statement.
The AFL-CIO re-tweeted several protest scenes from across the country Friday using the hashtag #WalmartStrikers:
Last year, there were 1,200 to 1,400 protests at Walmart stores across the country, according to OUR Walmart.
The nationwide protests on Friday come after a Nov. 13 demonstration during which 23 people were arrested in a Los Angeles-area Walmart. Those arrests were of Walmart employees who took part in a sit-down protest.
Contributing: Natalie DiBlasio
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