Walmart Strikes Spread to Metro DC

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Fast-spreading Walmart strikes hit the DC metro area yesterday afternoon as workers walked out of a Walmart in Landover, MD. Surrounded by more than 100 chanting supporters and families from UFCW Local 400, DC Jobs with Justice, and other local community groups, nearly a dozen Walmart workers faced-off with store management in the store’s parking lot, where Christine Bennett (below at right) choked back tears as she described the abusive working conditions that prompted her to walk out on strike. Cindy, another Walmart worker, who helped start OUR Walmart (Organization United for Respect at Walmart), the group organizing the strikes, said that "We are changing Walmart across the country." Activists plan solidarity actions Thursday evening and Friday morning. "I’m here in solidarity because you built Maryland,” said Maryland Senator Roger Manno, who joined Maryland Delegate Jolene Ivey and Prince George’s County NAACP President Bob Ross in marching with the strikers. Offering words of solidarity from the faith community, Reverend Jones reminded the crowd "we will be back as many times as it requires of us.” Click here for the Respect DC list of local Black Friday actions, or, if you're traveling for the holiday, click here to find another Black Friday action at a Walmart near you. - report/photos by Julia Kann