2007 Actions

Undaunted by the threat of the two security officers, we
continued on with the Candlelight Vigil until backup arrived
in the form of the Cleveland City Police. The first on the
scene were two detectives and before we knew it there
were 4 cruisers with armed uniform officers as backup. The
two detectives approached, with the security officers in
tow, and asked that we disperse. An agreement was
quickly reached and we were given 5 minutes to wrap up
the evening's event that had already gone on for almost
the amount of time we had planned.

So basically, Wal-Mart officials think that it is necessary
to tie up the time of the Cleveland City Police to disperse
a crowd of people holding a peaceful Candlelight - Prayer
Vigil. A Vigil that was not on their property, not interfering
with business, not being unruly in any way - it was a
Prayer Vigil! This is America and we were exercising our
rights to assemble freely on city owned property. OH
WAIT! That's right! You like doing more business with
China, where they don't have that right. Maybe you were
confused and forgot we were in the United States! Come
on Wal-Mart! WAKE UP! Click here for more photos.

Candlelight Vigil - Prayer for Wal-Mart to Change

On Wednesday, December 19, 2007 about 100 members from the faith community, brothers and sisters
from several unions, and members from community organizations showed their solidarity with UFCW and
Wake Up Wal-Mart by attending a Prayer Vigil at Steelyard Commons. Security from First Interstate
Properties welcomed early arrivers and informed lead organizer, Mike Martino that we needed to vacate
and call off the vigil, but we moved forward informing them we would be gathering on city property (the
tree lawn along the road across the parking lot from the store). We assured them we would not impede
business in anyway, but they insisted we leave - we stayed. Early arrivers headed off to other stores
on the other side of the complex to shop, saving their receipts to prove they were actually shoppers
and not just "trespassers." All of this was done under the watchful eye of two security officers.

Rally for a Living Wage

Cleveland Jobs with Justice held a rally outside the Cuyahoga County
Commissioners Offices, followed by a public hearing where all three
commissioners publicly supported a living wage. However, the commissioners
vocal support of a living wage was as far as their efforts went to enact the
resolutions. By November, the County Assistant Prosecutor released an
opinion that the commissioners did not have the authority to pass the
resolutions. So, we shifted our focus to obtaining an Attorney General’s
opinion on the legality of the resolutions.