She’s all but guaranteed to be the first Muslim woman elected to Congress next month, but Rashida Tlaib found herself in zip-tie handcuffs on Tuesday as she participated in a rally for a living wage for Michigan’s fast-food workers. Two Fight for $15 rallies were held in the Wolverine State ahead of Wednesday’s planned nationwide walkout. The workers are fighting for a $15 minimum wage, as well as the right to unionize.
The Detroit News reports that Tlaib, along with about 400 other protesters, took to the streets of midtown Detroit, after others—joined by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer—marched in Flint early Tuesday morning.
Police took Tlaib and the others into custody after they refused to move from their seats at a table the group set up in the middle of Woodward. Fourteen females and four males — including Abdul El-Sayed, the former Democratic candidate for governor — were taken in handcuffs to the Detroit Detention Center for processing and release. Detroit Police Deputy Chief Elvin Barren said they would be issued citations for disorderly conduct misdemeanors and receive court dates.
The Daily Kos team had the distinct pleasure of meeting soon-to-be Rep. Tlaib at September’s She the People Summit in San Francisco. One thing we quickly learned is that Tlaib is unapologetically pro-labor; she even cites economic justice as the first priority of her platform.
Economic Justice makes us healthier, safer, and makes our community fairer for everyone.
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Securing a $15 minimum wage: I’ll fight for a $15 minimum wage that gives our workers the ability to provide for their families. I don’t just want to create jobs, I want to create living wage jobs.
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Standing up for Unions: I’ll protect our unions, the organizations that built our middle class and are on the front lines of the fight against the Republicans and their billionaire friends.
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Equal Pay for Equal Work: Women deserve equal pay for equal work, and I’ll fight to end wage discrimination and close the pay gap.
Tlaib walks the walk like few politicians can. Of course, she also talks a good talk.
“I don’t know about you all, but something happens to the soul when you say ‘shut it down,’ ” Tlaib, 42, told the crowd in Detroit. “Because you don’t deserve anything less than better worker conditions, to not having to live in poverty. You deserve $15. These corporations are making billions off of our backs. Don’t you ever think that you’re not allowed to ask for more.”
The Flint protest, unfortunately, ended with bloodshed, after a truck plowed into protesters, injuring a final tally of nine people.
Despite the injuries in Flint, the footage from Tuesday’s protests is utterly joyful in its power, even with 18 arrests.
This video says it all—be sure to watch until the very end. You’ll be glad you did.
These people came to fight, and they came to win.
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