US briefs: Mass arrests at US Democracy Spring protests; McDonald's protests demand minimum wage rise

April 16, 2016
Issue 
Democracy Spring protesters on April 11 in Washington.

United States: Large arrests at Democracy Spring protests

In Washington, DC, police arrested about 85 more protesters taking part in the "Democracy Spring" actions against corporate lobbying and big money in politics on April 13, Democracy Now! said that day.

It came after more than 400 people were arrested after a sit-in at the Capitol on April 11. The protests and arrests were almost entirely ignored by the corporate media. According to a tally by The Intercept, CNN did not devote any coverage to the protests, MSNBC mentioned them for 12 seconds, and Fox News discussed them for 17 seconds. CNN later posted a short item online.

United States: McDonald's protests demand minimum wage rise

More than 300 US cities and 40 countries around the globe protested on April 14 in front of McDonald's chains in the 鈥淔ight for 15鈥 鈥 a push to raise the minimum wage to US$15 an hour, TeleSUR English said that day.

Actions also targeted penthouses, banks and a Republican Gala in New York City.

The global day of action was also coordinated with Pre-Tax Day, an annual day of protest for minimum wage workers.

The Service Employees International Union launched the 鈥淔ight for 15鈥 campaign in 2012 with McDonald's workers in New York. The federal minimum wage is less than half that amount.

The campaign has won important victories in several cities, with California and New York recently announcing minimum wage rises to $15.

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