Protesters in downtown Lawrence have no plans to leave
A group of protesters on the corner of 9th and New Hampshire says it has no plans to leave. Carpenter’s Union has been protesting against First Management for over 6 months. The group is upset that First Management hired Drywall Systems Incorporated to build the new high rise that recently went up on the corner. Carpenter’s Union says Drywall Systems doesn’t pay its workers fair wages.
“We don't think it's fair and we think First Management should change the way they do business,” said Dave Wilson, a spokesperson for the union.
“We are going to be here for the foreseeable future,” said Wilson. “Right now it's open ended. We plan on being here especially until all of the units are leased up in the building."
First Management officials weren’t available for comment, but the city says Carpenter’s Union is simply exercising its 1st amendment right to freedom of speech.
The group could be forced to move if another building goes up on the north side of the corner where they stand. Developers have been looking to build a hotel on that lot. The city says whomever builds will likely seek a right of way permit for the sidewalk which would force the protesters to move. If that happens, Carpenter’s Union says they’ll simply move to a new location.
“We feel so strongly about this because we need good paying jobs if we are going to see our local economies turn around,” said Wilson.