50 arrested at minimum wage protest in Detroit

About 50 protesters who blocked traffic during a rally for union rights and an hourly wage of $15 were arrested Tuesday morning.

Officer Jennifer Moreno says about 200 people protested outside a McDonald's restaurant on the city's west side and those who wouldn't get out of a street were arrested.

The protest started Tuesday about 6 a.m. at the McDonald's on Grand River Avenue near Schaefer Highway. Many sat down on Grand River Avenue and refused to get up, prompting the arrests. Detroit Police Commander Elvin Barren said the protests were peaceful and no one resisted arrest.

A protest also took place outside a McDonald's in Flint Tuesday morning, as well as many other cities across the country. The protest is part of a nationwide campaign for higher hourly wages, including for workers at airports and fast-food restaurants.

"This is for childcare workers, homecare workers, fast food workers, retail workers, airport workers, and just minimum wage across the border," Detroit Rev. W.J. Rideout explained at the protest.

The campaign has included several rounds of actions, including multiple Michigan protests, since the efforts began in 2012.

Another protest is planned Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the McDonald's on Plymouth Road in Detroit.