In the News

 

 

 

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore was detained by police at a protest Thursday led by fast food workers pressing for an increase in the minimum wage.

 

The nonprofit group Wisconsin Jobs Now tweeted a photo of Moore being handcuffed by what appears to be a plainclothes police officer. Moore's personal Twitter account soon followed with a tweet, written by Moore's communications director Eric Harris, confirming her arrest.

 

"I take great pride in supporting Milwaukee workers as they risk arrest in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow for their families," Moore said in a statement after the arrest.

 

"I've read their letters, I've heard their calls, and I've listened to their stories. I understand their struggle, but more importantly, I see their drive to fight for a future that is equal to their talents and worthy of their dreams."

 

Police said that 26 fast food workers were also arrested at the protest.

 

Police arrived at the protest at 12:17 p.m. after reports that dozens of people were sitting in the northbound lane of Miller Park Way near a McDonald's, according to a release from the West Milwaukee Police Department. When the protesters, including Moore, refused to leave the road, they were issued disorderly conduct citations.

 

Moore and all other protesters were released by 3 p.m.

 

Workers walked out

 

Speaking to reporters after her release, Moore said she was issued a $691 ticket for the offense.

 

"I thought it was important to elevate this issue and raise consciousness," she said.

 

Moore appeared at the protest to support dozens of fast food workers who walked off the job Thursday morning as a part of a protest pressuring employers to raise their pay to $15 an hour.

 

Workers from McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's and other fast food chains gathered outside a McDonald's at N. 35th St. and W. Juneau Ave. about 6 a.m., chanting, "Raise up Milwaukee" in the morning rain.

 

The protest was part of the Fight for $15, a nationwide campaign to raise the minimum hourly wage of fast food employees to $15.

 

Milwaukee was one of about 150 cities with protests and walk-offs scheduled for Thursday. Arrests were reported in at least a dozen other cities, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis.

 

President Barack Obama praised the Fight for $15 campaign Monday in his Laborfest speech in Milwaukee.