Walmart has been bracing itself for what union organizers are calling the largest ever protest against the big-box chain, scheduled this weekend. The store even hosted a traditional Chinese lion dance to ward off bad luck (really).

But can Walmart really prepare for the rage against its non-union machine that is … Tom Morello?

As part of Saturday's massive protest against the Chinatown Walmart (it's actually planned as a little baby Walmart and not a fullsized, fill-your-SUV-with-crap-you-don't-need Walmart) …

… labor leaders say Morello is going to perform. Ben Harper will be there with his blend of mellow anti-capitalism as well. And heck, Steve Earle says he'd be there if he wasn't working in the studio in Nashville.

Yes, you thought this was a demonstration, but this thing is turning into Walstock.

Organizers are mad at Walmart for invading a very-union town with its nonunion gigs. Saturday's protest, say labor leaders, is an …

… effort to stop the world's largest retailer from opening in Chinatown and expanding across Los Angeles with poverty-level jobs and practices that hurt local businesses and communities.


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As many as 10,000 are hoped for. It happens at noon Saturday underneath the dragon arches of Chinatown at Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Broadway. (A march starts at 11 a.m. at Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 North Spring St.).

Be there, and put your lighters in the air for fair wages.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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