Fast food workers protested Thursday in Rockford for increased wages.
Protesters gathered at the McDonald's at Auburn and Central. It was part of the national “Fight for 15” campaign calling for increased wages. According to a city-issued news release, the group went into the road and locked their arms while sitting in the middle of traffic. Officials then shut down Auburn Street. Rockford Police met with the event organizers at the scene, who said several of the protestors wanted to be arrested and would not leave the road. Police reportedly allowed them to stay, but lost patience as soon as rush hour approached. Officers arrested nine adults for obstruction. They were taken to the Winnebago County Justice Center. Sixteen other protestors were issued traffic citations.
Similar protests took place in Cicero and Chicago. The protestors were part of the nationwide movement "Fight for 15," which wants to increase fast food workers' pay to $15 an hour.
Here is video of the demonstration filmed by the protestors:
