Local organizations join national strike

The Fort Wayne Change Makers and the Poor People's Campaign joined the national strike for essential workers.

Two fort wayne organizations joined a national walk out movement today for those on the front lines.fox 55's jentill neal tells us more about the message they're trying to spread about black lives and essential workers.

Jentill?hunter, i'm here near the mcdonalds on rudsill where just hours ago some hoosiers were chanting black lives matter.it wasn't only about racial injustice but economic injustice for essential workers.

?nat of mcdonalds worker- "black lives do matter?three workers walked out of this mcdonald's on rudisill boulevard ... and joined a crowd chanting for black lives and equality.

They'd return to work a few minutes later ... but the crowd was steadfast.

> 22:14:31-22:14:51"i'm here for increased workers rights.

The national poor people's campaign and the national call for people's rival is one of the sponsors for this strike out for black lives.

We know the interlinking injustices of systemic racism and systemic poverty are completely interlinking."

Nationally, fast food workers are asking for an increase in pay-many of them walking out on the job today to spread that message.

The fort wayne change makers and the poor people's campaign are trying to amplify it.

Koczan says many of the people on the front lines in these positions are people of color.

22:15:14-22:15:23"there's a high number of african americans who are working low wage jobs that are also the highest risk jobs right now."

The changemakers say everyone should get the opportunity to have the proper training and education to excel.

Systemic ally they say that has not been the case.> 22:19:38-22:19:46"that would help close the income gap that we experience in minority communities."

Cooper wishes more organizations joined the movement today.

22:20:22-22:20:48"it speaks a little bit about what's going on in our city right now.

There's some conversations that we need to have some conversation we're trying not to have as it results to a livable wage and nationally people calling for that wage to be $15.00 an hour.

I think this pandemic really shows the impact of having a population of people who are labled essential but sacrificing more."

The rally went on from five this evening until eight.

Reporting live jentill neal... fox 55 news.