(Photos by Delia Johnson and Craig Johnson/DD)
Between 500 and 600 protesters marched through downtown Phoenix Tuesday evening in support of a $15 minimum wage and a new municipal I.D.
Demonstrators arrived at Civic Space Park in the afternoon and, after being led in prayer, began marching toward Phoenix City Council Chambers on Jefferson Street near Third Avenue. Traffic along Van Buren Street was stopped as protesters chanted numerous slogans for passers-by.
“Make our wages supersized, keep your burgers and your fries,” demonstrators shouted as they walked south along Central Avenue.
At the City Council Chambers, leaders of the protest led the marchers in roll call of the city council members.
“Listen City Council, we’re in the fight!” chanted the demonstrators.
Leaders of the march introduced fast food workers in front of City Hall and invited them to to speak to the crowd. They, along with District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski, discussed why they believed raising the minimum wage from Arizona’s current $8.05 to $15 was necessary.
“I have worked at McDonald’s for seven years. What I make is not enough to support my family and pay for school,” said Jasmine Gallardo, who was joined by other fast food workers at the front of the procession.
“It is hard for people to come out and demand something like this,” Nowakowski told the crowd. “But people are working in slave-like conditions and they need a living wage.”
The One Phoenix I.D. group also voiced their grievances. Their goal is to create a new city I.D. that can be used by all Phoenix citizens. Various groups, like those with questionable immigration statuses and the homeless, do not currently have access to city-issued identification.
Living United for Change in Arizona, led by Tomas Robles, organized the demonstration. LUCHA is an advocacy group that works on issues for lower and middle class families. This demonstration follows an April protest held by LUCHA in Tempe that was specifically aimed at McDonald’s.
“Wages have been stagnant in Phoenix while CEO salaries have only gotten higher,” Robles said. “We’re leading the march but it’s the workers and their bravery that’s pushing this movement forward.”
In addition to the local advocacy groups, both college and high school students participated in the demonstration. More than 16 student groups from ASU participated in the event, including United Students Against Sweatshops, led by president Nicole Hale.
“Current college students are working minimum wage jobs,” Hale said. “While it is temporary for some, not everyone upon graduating automatically enters into their career of choice.”
Other groups that joined in the march included Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy, Planned Parenthood, UNICEF and the local Bernie Sanders campaign.
Contact the reporter at Daniel.Perle@asu.edu
