Minimum Wage Protesters Moving Up Shattuck Avenue Downtown

Hundreds of fast food workers and their supporters are marching through the streets of downtown Berkeley this evening calling for a $15 minimum wage, police and protesters said. Protesters began gathering at 3 p.m. near the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way. They planned to march to the McDonalds restaurant at 1998 Shattuck Ave., according to organizers.

As of about 5:30 p.m., the hundreds of protesters were making their way up Shattuck Avenue by the Downtown Berkeley BART station. No BART service disruptions have been reported, but the large crowd has made some of the station entrances difficult to get to, one BART rider said. Parts of Shattuck Avenue remain closed to drivers.

The protests are part of “Fight for 15” demonstrations held throughout the Bay Area and the world today. In the Bay Area, today’s actions started early this morning in San Francisco with a 6 a.m. demonstration at a McDonald’s franchise location at 24th and Mission streets. Similar strikes were planned today in Oakland, San Jose and San Rafael.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy: Vanessa Raditz

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