100 Walmart Workers Arrested In Nationwide Protests

On Thursday, Walmart workers in more than a dozen cities protested for fair wages, and 100 arrests were made in 11 cities. Among the first arrests were three strikers — or "cast members," as one Walmart spokesman called them — who were arrested in New York City for attempting to meet with an executive.

by Ali Vingiano

BuzzFeed Motion Pictures Staff

Posted on September 5, 2013, 6:40 pm

The New York Police Department arrested three Walmart strikers who wanted to meet with an executive on Thursday.

Although there are no Walmarts in New York City, the protesters planned to deliver a petition directly to company board member Christopher Williams' Fifth Avenue office. The petition demands Walmart provide employees with a livable, annual wage of $25,000, and stop punishing workers who stand up for their rights. Walmart fired or disciplined at least 60 strikers who protested in June.

The three arrested were Susan Gulick and Lucas Handy, both former Walmart associates, and Barbara Gertz, a current Walmart employee. The NYPD say all three individuals were charged with disorderly conduct for blocking the entrance to the building and trespassing, The Associated Press reports

Walmart spokesperson Kory Lundberg said that these demonstrations are "just a show," The Huffington Post reports.

"[W]ith very few exceptions, the cast members don't work for Walmart nor are they affiliated with the company in any way," he said.

Update- Sept. 6, 10:55 a.m., EDT: 100 Walmart workers protesting low wages and illegal retaliation against strikers were arrested in 11 cities on Thursday. In response to Walmart's inaction, workers announced widespread, massive strikes and protests will take place on Black Friday in 2013.