NEW YORK — The group of marching strikers -- many clad in black T-shirts with the word "writer" on the back -- and their thicket of white hand-lettered signs formed an odd juxtaposition with the usual morning scene at Rockefeller Center.
The strikers marched behind metal barricades set up on 49th Street in front of the phalanx of U.S. flags that flank the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink and iconic gold statue and water fountain. "Writers want fair share!" they chanted under the watchful gaze of several security guards and New York police officers, as the strains of Andrea Bocelli floated up from the skating rink, where skaters coasted around the ice.
A giant gray inflatable rat looked over the street as tourists milled around the plaza, taking photos of the ice skaters. Some stopped at the barricades to snap images of the picketers but were waved along by police officers.
"They're writers. Couldn't they come up with anything better than 'On strike?'" asked one officer, gesturing to the signs.
-- Matea Gold
Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images
