Police are reporting that 15 taxi drivers on strike in Las Vegas were arrested this week while protesting outside of the National Association of Broadcasters convention according to the Associated Press.
Las Vegas officer Jose Hernandez said that 14 people were booked and released on "suspicion of traffic-related violations" including 12 for not obeying a traffic signal, one for traffic obedience to a police officer, and another for walking in a roadway.
The other person was arrested on an outstanding warrant according to Hernandez.
"We're the ambassador of the city, as they call us, because we're the first ones to greet the conventioneers and the tourists. How come nobody is hearing us right now? So we need to raise our voices and let the people hear us," Ermias Aboye, a cab driver, said to FOX 5 News.
Approximately 400 drivers demonstrating against the Yellow-Checker-Star cab company were "acting lawfully" when the arrests occurred outside the Las Vegas Convention Center according to Union officials.
Many of the cabbies in attendance used bullhorns and various noise makers to get the attention of the people inside the National Association of Broadcasters convention. The drivers are looking for "better working conditions" and a more "competitive wage."
Some of the protestors were reportedly walking in the middle of traffic in an effort to get the attention of drivers and were not obeying traffic signals according to Metro Captain Todd Fasulo.
"Common process on a simple jaywalking is a ticket," said arrested cab driver Mark Muller according to Fox 5 News. "You sign the ticket and agree to show up in court. Not this time. They went full force. They wanted to make an example of a situation that they felt got out of control the prior day."
Related Articles:
Fatal Text Message Photo Released After 22-Year-Old Dies In A Car Crash While Texting Friend
Teen Hit By Softball Dies During Gym Class On His Birthday (VIDEO)
Dubai Unveils New Lamborghini Aventador Police Cars, Cost $450,000 (VIDEO)
Crash Blamed On Zombies: California Man Who Caused Pileup Claims Undead Were After Him (PHOTOS)
Ford Unveils 2014 F-150 SVT Raptor Special Edition (PHOTOS)
Toyota, Honda, and Nissan Recall 3 Million Vehicles Over Air Bag Issues (VIDEO)
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
