Wal-Mart Worker Uprising: Protests Held At 1,000 Stores on Black Friday

Amy Goodman
Democracy Now / Video Report
Published: Monday 26 November 2012
“Nine people, including three Wal-Mart workers, were arrested at a protest in Los Angeles after they blocked traffic.”

A wave of historic protests struck the retail giant Wal-Mart on Black Friday — the busiest shopping day of the year. Workers and their supporters demonstrated at more than 1,000 stores. The Wal-Mart protests were organized in part by OUR Walmart, an organization backed by the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union. Nine people, including three Wal-Mart workers, were arrested at a protest in Los Angeles after they blocked traffic. We broadcast the voices of protesters in Secaucus, New Jersey, and speak to Josh Eidelson, a contributing writer for The Nation magazine.



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ABOUT Amy Goodman

Amy Goodman is the host of "Democracy Now!," a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 900 stations in North America. She is the author of "Breaking the Sound Barrier," recently released in paperback and now a New York Times best-seller.

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2 comments on "Wal-Mart Worker Uprising: Protests Held At 1,000 Stores on Black Friday"

wolftreetree

December 02, 2012 2:52pm

I stand with those wanting fair wages and treatment from there employers.

Arachne646

November 26, 2012 10:59am

Walmart's representative is very dismissive of the demonstrations and estimates that "50 associates" took part. I've heard them say that they had the best Black Friday ever. One would hope so, even with the 2% or so rate of inflation, and small rate of recovery of the economy. However, behind the scenes, their reaction has been less sanguine. As the reporter on Democracy Now says, Walmart pays for nothing they don't have to, and they have paid associates to attend specially scheduled anti-protest meetings stressing how participating might hurt profits and bonuses. When asked if workers might be disciplined for participating, the answer was "No comment". I believe retaliation for union activity is legally prohibited, although I am not an American. Go OUR Walmart!