The Latest: Truck Hits Fast-Food Protesters In Flint, Several Hurt
FLINT (AP) — The Latest on protests by fast-food workers (all times local):
8:20 a.m.
Police say a pickup truck collided with a group of protesters calling for the right to form unions in Flint, Michigan, injuring several people.
Police Chief Tim Johnson says he doesn't believe the crash Tuesday morning near a near a fast-food restaurant was intentional and that the driver "seemed pretty shaken up." Johnson initially said four or five people had non-life-threatening injuries, but later said eight were hospitalized. The pickup was later hit by a utility truck.
Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer was among those participating in the protest. She wasn't injured and a post on her Twitter account says she's "incredibly sad that so many people were hurt."
The Flint Journal reports that Johnson says those who were struck were at the end of a group of protesters walking along a street. He says the driver "acted like he didn't see them."
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1:10 a.m.
Michigan candidates for governor and the U.S. House are expected to join fast-food workers and others walking off the job in protest over the right to form unions.
The protests are part of an effort to elect pro-union candidates in the November general election. Walkouts also are expected Wednesday in Milwaukee and Thursday in Chicago.
Workers are seeking union rights for fast-food restaurants, airports, downtown businesses, hospitals, in-home care and child care.
Democrat Gretchen Whitmer will join striking cooks and cashiers Tuesday morning in Flint. Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, a Republican, are battling for governor.
Democrat Rashida Tlaib will join fast-food workers Tuesday afternoon in Detroit. Tlaib faces candidates from the Green and Working Class parties for the 13th House seat.
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