Brooklyn, N.Y., marchers support higher minimum wage

Led by Despierta Bushwick, a community organization in Brooklyn, N.Y., 70 adults and children marched and rallied on Dec. 18 to help bring attention to this predominantly Latin@ community that the minimum wage goes up to only $6.75 an hour, on Jan. 1. Passing blocks of retail stores lining busy Knickerbocker Avenue, marchers were organized by the coalition "Make the Road by Walking."

Leaflets about the change in minimum wage and people%s rights to higher wages were well received by many passersby with an offer to assist those who deserve but don%t get a higher wage. Supporters included members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union and the Million Worker March Movement. For immigrant workers, who are among the most discriminated against and exploited, Despierta Bushwick has helped win hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages for workers and a voice at work.  As was said at the rally today, "Sin justicia, no hay paz!" (No justice, no peace!)

—Story and photo by Anne Pruden