What workers all over the United States are doing is having a profound impact. This is your movement. #FightFor15
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 10, 2015
Jews joined fast food workers, union members and politicians at rallies around the country Tuesday to push for raising the federal minimum wage to $15.
Rallies began Tuesday morning in more than 250 cities, part of the Come Get My Vote movement’s push to make the $15-minimum wage a campaign issue for the 2016 election. The message was echoed on Twitter, with supportive posts, photos and videos from the rallies promoted with #FightFor15.
Among those braving the rain was Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who held a rally for the cause in Washington, D.C.
What workers all over the United States are doing is having a profound impact. This is your movement. #FightFor15 https://t.co/WmgZV9nj5d — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 10, 2015
New York City Councilman Brad Lander tweeted from an early morning rally in downtown Brooklyn, alongside his rabbi, Ellen Lippman of Kolot Chayeinu, and his daughter.
Out with my daughter, my rabbi @kolotchayeinu & thousands in the #FightFor15. Right in downtown BK where it began. pic.twitter.com/1fR7VSGhXb — Brad Lander (@bradlander) November 10, 2015
City Comptroller Scott Stringer took his turn at the Brooklyn podium.
We’re up early to #FightFor15 in #Brooklyn #NationalDayofAction pic.twitter.com/0uEVzPJFRs — Scott M. Stringer (@scottmstringer) November 10, 2015
Several Jewish organizations joined the politicians in Brooklyn for the rally. Labor Zionist youth group Habonim Dror, marched with Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, the Jewish Labor Committee and the Workmen’s Circle.
The Workmen’s Circle, a Jewish labor group, promoted both its Hebrew sashes and its younger generation of supporters.
We’re SO proud of our Midtown School students for taking the podium today in support of @fightfor15 #raisethewage https://t.co/uCnIm3p6Cg
— Workmen’s Circle (@workmenscircle) November 10, 2015
Jews for Economic and Racial Justice tweeted from Brooklyn about economic inequality, one of its key issues.
42% of working people make less than $15/hour+it’s about time for tht to change-Rabbi Ellen Lippmann #FightFor15 @kolotchayeinu @fightfor15 — JFREJ (@JFREJNYC) November 10, 2015
Jewish women’s organizations, including the National Council of Jewish Women, highlighted the disparate impact low-wage jobs have on women and their families.
We’re Jewish feminists, and we support the #Fightfor15! — NCJW (@NCJW) November 10, 2015
In a local victory, in the afternoon, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced plans to unilaterally set a $15 minimum wage for all state workers. Earlier this year, a wage board commissioned by Cuomo recommended that fast food workers at big chains be paid at least $15 an hour.
In San Diego, Rabbi Laurie Coskey of the Interfaith Center for Worker Justice’s addressed a crowd of demonstrators. In Minnesota Vic Rosenthal and Carin Mrotz of Jewish Community Action tweeted their support for raising the minimum wage.
Many shared a graphic created by Bend the Arc.
Join #JewsFor15 and the #Fightfor15 to demand fair wages for all Americans. pic.twitter.com/HOf5FLYsPi — Bend the Arc (@bend_thearc) November 10, 2015
In Boston, The New England Jewish Labor Committee joined forces with the Boston Workmen’s Circle Center, Moishe Kavod House Boston, the Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action, JOIN for Justice and Habonim Dror North America under the umbrella of the Wage Action movement.
Kavodnicks in the band! #Jewsfor15#WageAction#FightFor15#musicfor15pic.twitter.com/QbvrmNRRJA — Moishe Kavod House (@MoisheKavod) November 10, 2015
Non-Jewish politicians, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez also threw their Twitter support behind the rallies.
Fast-food, home care, child care workers: Your advocacy is changing our country for the better. #Fightfor15 -H — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 10, 2015
