For some time, I have had to travel to Washington, D.C. to observe street theater and dramatic protest activity. So I was pleased when I learned that we would be graced with our own home grown variety here in Charlottesville.

On Friday, July 13, 2001, a 'march of devils' (consisting of punks, workers and others) proceeded down the Charlottesville pedestrian mall, from the East end to the West end.

They were followed by sets of 'corporate angels,' with a 15-foot-tall angel of death bringing up the rear.

Upon reaching the West End, a band 'the proles' started into some music, while the 'worker devils' swirled around and the devil leader held forth.

This chaos was resolved as the angels entered the fray to participate in a classical ball dance, with the devils cleaning the ground behind their every step. During the entirety of the event, the worker devil and the corporate angel leaders argued over whether the works deserved a living wage.

In the meantime, a living wage banner was hung over the seven-story Omni hotel, while inside four living wage activists managed to chain themselves to elevators, inconveniencing the Charlottesville police, the Omni employees, and Omni patrons alike.

"While hotel officials and city police frantically pondered how to detach the activists, one of whom had hitched a bike lock around his neck, guests continued to ride up and won the elevators. A state financial association was holding a dinner party of 200 people in the lobby area" (Reed Williams, The Daily Progress, July 14, 2001).

Living wage activists said they were protesting the fact that the Omni does not pay a living wage, calculated at $8.65/hour -- the wage required for a family of four to be just at the poverty threshold established annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. Omni general manager Paul Maher said that "the Omni pays employees competitive wages ..." (Reed Williams, The Daily Progress, July 14, 2001).

Outside sitting at Bizou's, one diner was heard saying, "Why don't they get a life. If they don't like their job, they should get another one." Well, that's just the point of the protest isn't it? For these particular employees, jobs may not be available which pay a 'living wage.'

Sean O'Brien at eastern standard

Sean O'Brien, who was at a private party at eastern standard across the way, said:

"I was very excited to see Charlottesville's own social protest in action. This action was just a small part of the larger protests taking place worldwide in support of the environment, social justice and civil rights. I hope that Charlottesville will be treated to more nonviolent, direct political activism in the future. I also hope the numbers of people and diversity of the participants will increase. The street theatre was sublime and refreshing."

Bystander John Lloyd

John Lloyd, who happened to be walking on the Charlottesville pedestrian mall when the Living Wage group paraded by, said:

"It's not only important to have a job, but also to have jobs that pay well enough to be able to support a family with dignity. At eight-and-a-quarter an hour, you'd have to work 50-hour weeks just to make $20,000 a year. That's still only a little bit."

[L-R] Alexis Ziegler with Kevin Lynch Dear George, As for living wage, it is clear that the majority of people support the idea. The ones who are not likely to support it are some business owners who simply do not want to pay higher wages. I only wish the Chamber types would avoid that patronizing hypocrosy about their hearts bleeding so deeply for poor people. If they cared that much about the well being of the wealthless, then maybe they could just pay them more. I know its a complex concept.... There are some small local businesses who can legitmately claim that they cannot afford to pay more than they are paying. But they are in the minority. Most businesses can afford to pay good wages. And the corporate chains are swimming in money. There is nothing but pure rank greed standing in the way of their paying a living wage. To my fellow activists, I would sound a note of caution. This issue is not going to move easily. It is not a small group of politicians we are trying to sway, but rather the fundamental rules of possession in our culture, who gets the money. People fight over things like that to the bitter end. In the long run, we are going to need an organization with a widespread membership of working people --a cross-industry union, or similar organization. The only real way to alleviate people's difficulties is to empower them to fight for themselves. Alexis Zeigler (electronic mail, July 16, 2001).

Living wage activists Abi Miller, Spot Etal, Andrew Holden, and Nicholas Graber-Grace are currently scheduled to appear in court on Friday, July 20th. Nicholas Graber-Grace says, "There has been a large and prolonged campaign for living wage here in Charlottesville, and this is by far the most radical action to date. We are hopeful that it will have an impact in altering the business climate here, and send a message that business as usual is not acceptable (Nicholas Graber-Grace, electronic mail, July 14, 2001).

Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, July 11, 2001, the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce responded with "forceful opposition" to City of Charlottesville proposed wage regulations stating that such municipal "wage-fixing regulations" are both "questionable" and "inappropriate."

The Chamber also reaffirmed its "commitment to economic and community development initiatives which advance our fellow citizens’ development through the acquisition and enhancement of work skills and education necessary to compete in the marketplace of free enterprise" (Chamber of Commerce e-briefing, July 13, 2001).

If you have comments about living wage issues or about street theater in Charlottesville, please send them to george@loper.org where the most representative comments will be posted on my web site with full attribution.