Fast food workers, nannies, caregivers and scores of low-wage workers and their supporters marched through downtown Miami Wednesday as part of a national union-led movement for better wages.
The rally, one of hundreds organized in cities around the U.S., drew hundreds to Greater Bethel AME in Overtown, a community simmering with frustration over poverty, crime and gentrification. The large black, Hatian, white and Hispanic crowd boomed out “Yes we can” and “Si se puede” as pastors and activists called for a $15-an-hour minimum wage and ripped politicians, developers and corporations.
“We’re here tonight because we’re tired of living in a city and county where poverty flourishes, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer,” Bishop James Adams, an Overtown pastor with a growing political profile, said as people raised from wooden pews and cheered. “We’re saying enough is enough.”
Afterward, the crowd spilled out onto Second Avenue and marched south. WLRN reported that protesters stopped in front of a downtown McDonald’s to demand higher wages and delivered a letter to a Marriott, which is planting a flag in Overtown.
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Scenes from the protest
#Miami #FightFor15 protesters bring their message in Creole. #Haitian @WLRN pic.twitter.com/XAJuWZxDV2
— Nadege Green (@NadegeGreen) April 15, 2015
Protesters stop in front of downtown #Miami McDonalds demanding, $15 now. #FightFor15 @WLRN pic.twitter.com/EVUyJ5JtHd
— Nadege Green (@NadegeGreen) April 15, 2015
#FightFor15 #Miami protesters bring a letter to Marriott Marquis which wants.to open hotel in #Overtown pic.twitter.com/VPHTdkwDwy — Nadege C. Green (@NadegeGreen) April 15, 2015