OAK BROOK, Ill. — About 100 protesters were arrested after refusing to leave corporate property outside McDonald's headquarters on Wednesday as hundreds demonstrated to call attention to the low pay earned by fast-food workers.
The actions come ahead of the company's annual shareholders meeting Thursday, where company officials also expected to be confronted on issues including its executive pay packages and marketing to children.
Early Wednesday, organizers changed the location of their demonstration after learning McDonald's closed the building where they had planned their actions and told employees there to work from home. The corporate headquarters in Oak Brook has several buildings on campus.
Down the street from Hamburger University, dozens of police officers in riot gear warned protesters to disperse. People dressed in McDonald's uniforms essentially volunteered to be arrested by peacefully crossing a barricade or remaining on the property after being asked to leave.
Among those arrested was Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union, who said in a statement she wanted McDonald's workers to know her union members stood with them.