Labor activistsâ suit says Memphis police followed them home, ordered fast-food workers not to sign petitions. https://t.co/bcFy1IT50Z
â The Associated Press (@AP) March 1, 2017
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) â Memphis police have followed labor organizers home after meetings, ordered fast-food workers not to sign petitions, threatened them with arrest and put some on a list requiring them to have a police escort when they visit City Hall, activists charge in a federal lawsuit.
The activists, who are pushing for higher wages and union rights at fast-food restaurants like McDonaldâs, sued the City of Memphis on Wednesday.
Lawyers with the Fight for $15 campaignâs Mid-South Organizing Committee filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the city, Mayor Jim Strickland and Police Director Michael Rallings.
Memphisâ Chief Legal Officer Bruce McMullen said the city does not believe the lawsuit has merit.
The Fight for $15 campaign has been protesting in cities around the country since late 2012. It is seeking a $15-per-hour minimum wage. Protesters have been joined at rallies by other low-wage workers, such as home and child-care workers.
âTheyâre trying to stop us from speaking out, but even though itâs riskier, we know we have a right to protest and weâre not going to be intimidated,â said Ashley Cathey, a Churchâs Chicken worker, in a statement.
Since Memphis workers joined a nationwide day of protest on Sept. 4, 2014, officers have repeatedly threatened workers with arrest during protests, at one point telling them they had authorization from McDonaldâs to make arrests, the complaint alleges.