54 Arrested in Los Angeles During Walmart Protest

Organizers are calling it the largest act of civil disobedience in Walmart history.

By Julianne Hing Nov 08, 2013

Dozens of Walmart workers and activists were arrested last night protesting the company’s labor practices and retaliatory behavior in Los Angeles’ Chinatown last night in what organizers are calling the largest act of civil disobedience in Walmart history.

Workers, clergy and activists sat down in the middle of Cesar Chavez Avenue in a circle outside the company’s new Chinatown store last night. Some 825,000 Walmart workers make less than $25,000 a year, workers say. Richard Reynoso is one of them, despite having a rare-for-Walmart full-time position as an overnight stocker.

"I got arrested today becuase I believe that taking this step will encourage others to be brave and step forward and stand up to the world’s largest retailer," Reynoso said in a statement. "Walmart can’t silence me."

The civil disobedience followed a protest outside a Walmart store in the working class Los Angeles suburb of Paramount, where 100 people gathered. The actions are supported by OUR Walmart, a union-backed workers group which organized the first strike in Walmart history last year.