Days before the highly anticipated opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, dozens of protesters rallied outside the institution, donning Jedi robes and masks and wielding lightsabers to draw attention to worker rights concerns related to the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.
The demonstration, organized by the Fair Games Coalition, took place across from the museum in Exposition Park. Participants utilized horns and drums while chanting slogans, aiming to protest the recent resignation of museum co-founder Mellody Hobson from the LA28 Olympic organizing committee.
Jessica Durrum, director of the Fair Games Coalition for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, stated the group's objective is to secure "lasting benefits for our communities" as the Olympics approach. The coalition, comprising over 80 organizations including various unions and community groups, advocates for improved labor conditions during major sporting events.
Key demands put forth by the Fair Games Coalition include the provision of unionized, living wage jobs, the funding of 50,000 housing units for working families, a moratorium on short-term rentals, and enhanced protections for immigrant workers. Gladys Avyla, a hotel cleaner and member of Unite Here Local 11, expressed concerns about the rising cost of living in Los Angeles, noting the increased financial strain she anticipates as event-related work intensifies.
Mellody Hobson, who co-founded the Lucas Museum with George Lucas, resigned from LA28 earlier this week, reportedly citing the demands of managing the museum. However, the Fair Games Coalition alleges her resignation was a response to their requests for dialogue regarding worker concerns. The Rev. Gary Bernard Williams of St. Mark United Methodist Church, a coalition member, criticized this as an avoidance tactic, asserting that significant financial gains from the Olympics often bypass the workers who are most in need.
The LA28 organizing committee and the Lucas Museum did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The protest echoes recent negotiations during the World Cup, where Unite Here Local 11 reached a tentative agreement with a stadium food-service operator days before the tournament began. Pastor Bridie Roberts of Unite Here Local 11 highlighted the potential for the games to yield positive outcomes for working individuals, contingent on persistent advocacy.
