With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
More than 50 protesters arrested outside Chinatown Walmart
Street sitters drawing cheers, making traffic, at a protest outside new Walmart in Chinatown.
(
Rina Palta/KPCC
)
Police monitor protestors outside the new Walmart in Chinatown on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013.
(
Rina Palta/KPCC
)
Police began making arrests at a protest outside of the new Walmart in Chinatown in downtown L.A. on Thursday night, Nov. 7, 2013.
Police arrested 54 people Thursday night during a protest against a newly opened Walmart in Chinatown near downtown Los Angeles.
Police say the demonstration was generally peaceful, but when officers declared an unlawful assembly to disperse the more than 200 protesters, some sat in a circle in the street and refused to move.
Erroll Traylor doesn't work for Walmart but was there to support employees.
"They're getting paid very low wages; they don't have health care; and the family that owns Walmart controls a lot of the money, and they are very rich, and they can definitely afford to pay better wages to their employees," Traylor said.
Sponsored message
Protest organizers say some of the arrested include employees of the giant retailer.
Wal-Mart spokesperson Kory Lundberg said those workers are a fraction of the company's 13,000 employees in L.A. County and that employees know Walmart gives them opportunities for career growth and economic security.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
