THIS PAST THURSDAY, DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR, ABOUT SEVENT> FIVE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND THEIR LARGELY YOUTHFUL SUPPORTERS, GATHERED ON SEVENTH AVENUE NEAR UNION SQUARE WITH THE INTENTION OF MARCHING ON MARIO BATALIâS DEL POSTO RESTAURANT ON TENTH AVENUE TO PROTEST WHAT THEY SAY IS EXPLOITATION AND WAGE THEFT.
MICHELLE OBAMA HAPPENED, BY CHANCE, TO BE IN THE AREA FOR A FUNCTION, AND SO THE GROUP LEADERSHIP NEGOTIATED WITH HOMELAND SECURITY AND AGREED TO AVOID EMBARASSING THE FIRST LADY IN EXCHANGE FOR BEING ALLOWED TO USE A SOUND PERMIT FOR THEIR NEXT PROTEST, A RIGHT WHICH HAS REGULARLY BEEN DENIED THEM.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF UPSCALE RESTAURANTS IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE WORKERS SAY THEY FACE DISCRIMINATION AND ABUSE. WBAI FRED NGUYEN FOLLOWED THE RAMBUNCTIOUS CROWD AS IT PAID A SURPRISE VISIT TO SOME OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS: