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DETROIT (WJBK) - Democrat Rashida Tlaib is among several people who were taken into police custody Tuesday at a Fight for $15 rally in downtown Detroit. Former candidate for Michigan governor Abdul El-Sayed was also taken into custody.
SkyFOX was over the scene, where multiple people were seen being led away in handcuffs to a waiting bus. Tlaib was put in a separate, waiting police vehicle.
Detroit Police tell FOX 2 that 18 people were taken away and ticketed, but said that no one was arrested. We're told they will be ticketed for disorderly conduct, and are expected to be released later on Tuesday.
"We were given zip ties and put on the bus and I got to ride on the bus with 16 people and I'll be frank with you, those folks are fighting for access to a wage that is fair that justifies their 40 hours," El-Sayed said.
Dozens were gathered together, wearing red, along Woodward Avenue near the McDonald's at Canfield, for the planned rally. The trouble began when police say protestors had a chairs and a table in the street and refused to move.
"We were ready to announce our presence and clear the street," said DPD Deputy Chief Elvin Barren.
Earlier in the day, eight people were hit by a car at a similar Fight for $15 rally in Flint. All eight were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Some have already been released, we were told, and made their way down to Detroit to join in this rally.
The two protests were part of an effort to elect pro-union candidates in the November general election. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, who's running for governor, was at the Flint rally earlier. Tlaib faces candidates from the Green and Working Class parties for the 13th House seat.
A McDonald's spokesperson released the following statement regarding Tuesday's rally in Detroit:
"Our commitment to the communities we serve includes providing opportunities for restaurant employees to succeed at McDonald's and beyond with world-class training and education programs to help them build the skills needed for today's workforce. Recently we announced we are tripling tuition assistance for restaurant employees by allocating $150 million over five years to our Archways to Opportunity education program which provides eligible U.S. employees an opportunity receive upfront college tuition assistance, earn a high school diploma, and access free education advising services and learn English as a second language. We also lowered eligibility requirements, making the program more accessible. These enhancements underscore McDonald's and its independent franchisees' commitment to providing jobs that fit around the lives of restaurant employees so they may pursue their education and career ambitions."