20th Anniversary of Mt. Pleasant Riots – March on Chipotle in Columbia Heights

Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

From a press release:

ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MT. PLEASANT DISTURBANCES

FIRED WORKERS, FAITH LEADERS, ADVOCATES, AND DC COUNCIL MEMBERS DELIVER OVER 7,000 PETITIONS TO CHIPOTLE DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR EMPLOYEES

Workers and Community Leaders Send Signal to Ensure Ethical Treatment of All Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON– On Thursday, May 5, there will be a procession from the Sacred Heart Church to the Columbia Heights Chipotle Restaurant where workers were suddenly terminated over a month ago. The long term workers were fired en mass and abruptly replaced by a new crew of workers while they met with management during a 30minute break in the back store room. The workers are demanding a public apology and the payment they should have received had they been allowed time to attempt to resolve the paperwork issues cited by management as the cause for their termination.

Following a protest and press conference in late March, Chipotle management has refused twice to meet with Councilmember Graham and Mike Brown and has also refused to meet with workers if a lawyer or community leader is present. Chipotle dismissed the workers’ demands and has refused to apologize for mistreatment after one worker leader met alone with Chipotle.

On the 20th anniversary of the Mt Pleasant disturbances faith leaders, workers, advocates, and DC council members will participate in a procession to deliver over 7,000 petitions demanding justice for the workers.

WHAT:
Procession and Press Conference to denounce Chipotle’s mistreatment of workers and reflect on 20th Anniversary of Mt. Pleasant Disturbances

· Workers fired from Columbia Heights Chipotle
· Father Moises, Sacred Heart Church
· Michael Brown, DC Council Member *invited
· Jim Graham, DC Council Member *invited
· Roxana Olivas, director Office of Latino Affairs
· Arturo Griffiths, DC Jobs with Justice

WHEN & WHERE:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Procession beginning at Sacred Heart Church: 5:30pm
Sacred Heart Church
16th St. and Park Rd. NW.

Press Conference at Columbia Heights Chipotle: 6:00pm
Columbia Heights Chipotle
3113 14th Street NW