Over 50 Democratic senators and representatives have pledged to boycott six popular Washington, D.C., restaurants in support of ongoing unionization efforts, according to Axios.
The boycott, organized by the labor union Unite Here Local 25, aims to support restaurant workers seeking to organize. The group represents over 7,500 hospitality workers in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The boycott targeted the restaurants Le Diplomate, Osteria Mozza, Rasika, Modena, Bombay Club and The Occidental, according to a copy of the pledge obtained by Axios.
“Workers are calling for D.C. customers to boycott these restaurants, asking the public not to eat, meet or drink at these locations,” the pledge said.
The list of Democrats behind the effort includes powerful party figures such as Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as well as Democratic California Rep. Nancy Pelosi, previously Speaker of the House, the outlet reported. Other progressive figures, such as Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, joined in.
“We can have big policy debates, but we also have to show the American people some concrete examples,” Democratic Texas Rep. Greg Casar, The Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Chair, said.
Former President Joe Biden repeatedly visited Le Diplomate, according to multiple reports.
The move comes as the Democratic Party is trying to build support among working-class Americans after the voting bloc’s shift to the right in the 2024 election. The Democratic opposition research organization American Bridge 21st Century launched its “Working Class Project” in 20 U.S. states and heard negative perceptions of the party from many voters, CNN reported. (RELATED: Democrats’ $20 Million Study Of Men Produces Laughably Obvious Results)
The Democrat-aligned House Majority PAC invested approximately $50 million in February to reach out to working class voters nationally who have left the party in favor of GOP candidates. “The policies that we support and the message that we have is not wrong,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told The New York Times at the time. “It is a messaging problem and a brand problem.”
