On April 15th, the Men Against Violence Research Collaborative participated in the Fight for 15 action in Chicago. MAVReC, in conjunction with Coalition for the Homeless, marched alongside activists, students and community members from various organizations such as BYP 100, We Charge Genocide, Chicago Teachers Union and the Workers Organizing Committee of Chicago to name a few. The initial rally started at Chicago’s UIC quad and proceeded with a march down Jackson Boulevard to a McDonalds outside of the Chicago Board of Trade building. Throughout the day, over 8,000 protesters came out to show their support. (Chicago Board of Trade intentional)
The action was an attempt to bring further awareness to the issue of income inequality, specifically raising the minimum wage from $8.25 to $15 for fast food establishments such as McDonalds. Supporters of the movement joined together to call for a living wage, as many minimum wage workers currently struggle everyday to meet the basic costs of living and feel exploited by the large corporations within the fast-food industry. Despite its focus on the fast-food industry, the action shed light on the exploitation of various sectors of employment, including higher-education, security companies and the construction industry.
As an organization dedicated to resisting violence, the fight for 15 movement represents a push back against economic violence. The perpetual downward pressure on wages in various sectors represents an ongoing war against the poor. This is a struggle that affects predominantly black and brown communities, communities that are already marginalized politically, economically and socially. MAVReC feels that it is important to emphasize the intersection of violence, from physical violence in the form of police brutality to economic violence through wage labor that does not permit for families to meet the basic needs of living which is an issue that particularly affects black and brown families. In addition to highlighting the impact of structural economic violence, MAVReC’s presence in the fight for 15 movement speaks to our belief in the importance of showing solidarity with other organizations that stand up for the rights of oppressed groups. Forming these alliances by showing up to actions is a vital part to community and movement building that will prove useful in creating further change.
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