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Los Angeles Walmart Workers on Strike, Stage Sit-in, Dozens Arrested

In a preview of what will be a nationwide day of action on Black Friday, Walmart workers at several Southern California stores walked off the job this morning to protest Walmart's low wages. Just minutes ago, sixty Walmart workers were arrested for engaging in a peaceful sit-in in downtown Los Angeles.

We shall overcome #walmartstrikers #civildisobedience #sisepuede pic.twitter.com/hec00NRzqb 60 Walmart Workers holding their ground, sitting-in, going to jail,OURWalmart SoCal - https://twitter.com/OURWalmartSoCal

Los Angeles Walmart Workers on Strike

by Jway

November 6, 2013
Making Change at Walmart

Today, in an exciting start to the holiday season, Walmart workers with the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) in Los Angeles went on strike. Workers promise more actions throughout the month and on Black Friday unless Walmart ends its retaliation against workers who speak out for change.

"I was nervous about going on strike, but I know the only way things will change is if we stand up," said Juan Becerra, a Los Angeles Walmart worker.

You can support the strikers and see more on today's actions by visiting BlackFridayProtests.org

Can't Wait for Black Friday? Neither Could SoCal Walmart Workers

By Mike Hall

November 6, 2013
AFL-CIO Now

In a preview of what will be a nationwide day of action on Black Friday, Walmart workers at several Southern California stores walked off the job this morning to protest Walmart's low wages. The company has turned a $17 billion profit so far this year, yet pays its workers so little many of them count on public assistance for food and health care. The workers also are protesting what they say is Walmart's retaliation against workers who speak out for change.       

Learn more about the campaign and search for a Black Friday, day after Thanksgiving event in your area.

Here's a look at today's actions through tweets from the scene.

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Walmart don't fire me for speaking out. #walmartstrikers @changewalmart
12:32 PM - 6 Nov 2013
 


We are standing up for our kids. The next generation needs us to do this. #walmartstrikers @changewalmart
12:41 PM - 6 Nov 2013


Venanzi: I strike 4 every co-worker @walmart fired for speaking the truth. #walmartstrikers @changewalmart
12:46 PM - 6 Nov 2013


#WalmartStrikers r @ a Pico Rivera walmart right now! They're standing up 2 put n end to retaliation #walmartstrikers http://ow.ly/i/3E2lf
12:56 PM - 6 Nov 2013

Our Walmart SoCal

60 warriors holding their ground #walmartstrikers pic.twitter.com/Kjcr1OtjA6

It's Time for Main Street and the President to Meet!

Change Walmart

Dear President Obama:

Walmart, our nation's largest employer, owned by the nation's richest dynasty, allocates poverty wages to almost a million US workers who, despite generating handsome profits for the company, get less than $25,000 a year. As Americans, we all pay the price of this injustice. Enough is enough, those who do well in America, must do right by America.

President Obama, we ask you to make good on your promise to stand up for working people by meeting with the courageous workers risking firing or other disciplinary action by joining together as Organization United for Respect at Walmart. We would like you to hear first-hand, why they are appealing for respect and calling on Walmart to pay them enough to feed and support their families. Why to Act Now:

Our country is at a crossroads. Although our economy has started to improve especially for those on Wall St., many of us are still left without jobs or scrambling to survive on the much lower wages employers get away with offering.

As a result, low wage workers are standing up for a real wage and the respect they deserve. From Walmart to McDonalds, workers at our largest and most egregious companies are taking bold action for themselves, for our country and for us all.

So far, Walmart has responded by breaking labor laws and firing and disciplining many of the workers who are brave enough to speak up. It's time for our labor laws to be upheld. Americans like you and I must decide if we are going to continue down the current path to economic destruction and destitution for the majority or insist on changing course and insist that those who work for a living ought to make a living.

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