Wal-Mart protesters set to march from downtown L.A. to Chinatown
In what organizers expect to be the largest demonstration since last year’s Black Friday protests, labor-backed activists are set to rally and march Thursday against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in downtown L.A., calling for better jobs.
The Los Angeles demonstration is part of planned action in 15 cities, organizers said.
In addition to seeking better jobs, the protesters are calling for alleged retaliation against outspoken Wal-Mart employees to end.
Organizers said workers and their supporters will rally at 11:30 a.m. at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles.
They will then march to the corner of North Broadway Avenue and West Cesar E Chavez Avenue, the site of the hotly contested Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Store, which is set to open later this month.
Wal-Mart defeated several challenges by activists who opposed the opening of the store. Opponents argue that the store will hurt small businesses in the area and would introduce low-wage jobs.
“The way we see it, this is again a group of demonstrators primarily made up of union members and activists who don’t represent the views of the 1.3 million associates who work in Wal-Mart U.S. alone,” said Brooke Buchanan, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman.
Buchanan said the labor organizers have tried for years to unionize Wal-Mart employees and that this latest demonstration is another stunt to garner publicity.
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