Protest at McDonald's in Pittsford
Carrying signs that said "Black Lives Matter" and "ROC for 15," about 50 local activists marched Friday in front of the McDonald's restaurant on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford.
Their protest was in solidarity with some former McDonald's workers in Virginia who allege in a federal lawsuit that they were fired last May because of their race and that the fast-food giant did nothing when contacted about the dismissals.
Many of those fired say they were told by the local owner that they were good workers but "didn't fit the profile" that he was trying to build for the company.
"They need to hold the manager accountable," said Natajah Roberts, a member of the local group BLACK.
Demanding $15 an hour for fast-food workers has also become a cause for local activists, who want McDonald's to pay that amount to its employees.
Chanting as they marched on the sidewalk along Monroe, some of the vehicles passing by honked in approval of their cause.
Demond Meeks, a member of the local Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, read a statement that called on McDonald's corporation to act on the protesters' demands.
"So we would like to place an order for quality wages, with a commitment from the employer not to discriminate." said Meeks.
The protesters said they picked the McDonald's across from Pittsford Plaza because it was a major franchise.
Ron Fithen, owner and operator of this franchise, issued a statement saying that "we respect everyone's right to peacefully protest."
He also said that he values "the dedicated employees that work in my restaurants" and that McDonald's respects "the diversity of our employees and customers."
Jake Allen, 23, a volunteer with the local activist group Metro Justice, handed a manager of McDonald's a petition with 242 names on it supporting the fired workers in Virginia.
"Our grievance was not against this store but the larger corporation," Allen said.
Associated Press contributed to this article.
JGOODMAN@DemocratandChronicle.com