Fresno protesters join nationwide push for $15 minimum wage

Fresno protesters, supported by the Service Employees International Union, on Tuesday joined a nationwide call for a $15 minimum wage with a march in central Fresno.

Chanting, “What do we want? $15!” the marchers gathered at Manchester Center before marching across Blackstone Avenue to a McDonald’s restaurant for a protest in the parking lot. They planned to board two buses headed for Oakland to join a larger demonstration in the Bay Area city.

Nationwide, walkouts from fast-food restaurants were planned in 270 cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Home care and child care workers also joined the protest.

“It isn’t just about fast-food workers anymore,” said Alicia Jacobo, a Fresno protester. “It’s about every hard-working person. It’s about human dignity and an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.”

Added Ray Enscher, of the Kennedy Club of the San Joaquin Valley: “It’s about a fair living wage, which is $15. I wish they’d gone for $20.”

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Fresno protesters join nationwide push for $15 minimum wage."