Thousands of lower-income workers and their supporters rallied across the nation, including Chicago, in a quest for a $15 minimum wage.
The move was touted as "the largest-ever Fight for 15 mobilization."
The nationwide protests took place across 200 U.S. cities, including Chicago, and included healthcare workers, school employees, homecare workers, childcare workers, airport employees, Walmart workers and others.
Chicago's protests included one during the morning commute at the McDonald's restaurant at West 83rd Street and South Ashland Avenue. An afternoon rally was held at University of Illinois Chicago campus before protestors marched and gathered outside another McDonald's restaurant, at 111 W. Jackson Blvd., in the Loop.
"We want real paid sicks days and our correct pay raise. I'm here to ask for support from this community to stand with us, fight with us and help us," one protestor told supporters at the UIC rally.
Workers said they chose to protest on tax day both because April 15 matches their minimum wage demand and because they want to "highlight the fact that they are paid so little that too many are forced to rely on public assistance to get by."
