HARTFORD-- Black Friday is best known as the day when big-box retailers rake in money, but it has also become a time for some of their employees to demand a share of the proceeds.
A group of more than 50 protesters gathered in front of the Flatbush Avenue Walmart in Hartford Friday afternoon.
"Walmart employs a large number of people, and yet they`re paying them a low wage, not enough to live on," said Cornell Lewis, a local social activist and an organizer of the protest.
The protesters demanded the company pay higher living wages to its employees--- calls for $15.00/hour.
The demand better a working environment for employees.
This protest is similar to other Black Friday protests taking place nationwide at an estimated 1,600 Walmart locations.
Cornell Lewis -- who helped organize this protest -- also draws comparison between Friday's protest at Walmart and the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.
"The powerful are oppressing people in Ferguson and Walmart is oppressing people at this particular store and in other stores throughout the country," Lewis said.
Walmart maintains it offers fair wages for all its employees.
The company employs more than 1.3 million U.S. associates at more than 4,900 stores and clubs nationwide.
In 2013, Walmart says it promoted about 170,000 people to jobs with more responsibility and higher pay.
The average, full-time hourly wage in the U.S. for a Walmart employee is $12.94.
"When you work for Walmart, then you see the benefit of it, you`re able to take care of your family, you can do so much," said Mala Venkatasammy, a front end supervisor at the Flatbush Avenue Walmart.
Hartford Police were called to ensure order after protesters were told to leave Walmart property.
The group moved to a nearby grassy median off the property, and there were no arrests.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal reacted to these Black Friday protests, the senator has critical in the past of Walmart company practices.
"I strongly support their efforts for fairness and justice in the workpace, not only in pay but also working conditions," Blumenthal said.
A Walmart store manager says no employees walked off the job Friday at the Flatbush Avenue store.
