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“Hold the burgers, hold the fries, make our wages super-sized,” was one of many chants heard at Armstrong Park Saturday afternoon, Jan. 30 where workers gathered to make their case known for a new minimum wage, calling themselves the Krewe For 15.

The Fight For 15 rally was a procession through the French Quarter to promote an increase in wage, from $7.25 to $15.00 an hour. They chose send their message during Mardi Gras in response to the money that comes into the city during this time of year, none of which, protesters say, goes to the workers.

Gregoriana Brown, 19, is paying her way through school by working a minimum wage job, and she says it is simply not enough.

“I’m in school, I go to school and I work, I can’t just rely on financial aid and scholarships. Scholarships don’t flow like water. So I have to work some type of job to make sure I have books, food to eat,” Brown said.

Some in opposition of the change argue that minimum wage workers do not do enough to earn a higher wage. Brown said that is simply untrue.

“You never ask why someone gets paid more to sit in an office all day on their butt and type on a computer. You can talk to me and treat me like dirt and I can’t really tell you anything. So why do I not deserve that pay,” Brown said.

In other chants heard throughout the day, the protesters referred to their pay as “poverty wage,” as opposed to “minimum wage.” Brown said she has to watch not only herself, but also her family, struggle to live, and that is why she is fighting.

“It’s important to me because, I mean, I have watched my sister work fast food jobs and she has three kids and can’t support them,” Brown said.

Roy Brumfield, 42, a banquet server and protester, said that his fight is not just a financial one.

“It’s really just about being capable of living the real American dream,” Brumfield said.

Brumfield, a self described history buff, compared the Louisiana government to Marie Antoinette.

“We’re starving and they’re saying let us eat cake. So in order for me to eat cake, I have to participate in actions like this. I’m going to educate myself in the political processes that keep me in the situation that I am in,” Brumfield said.

Brown said she is marching to raise awareness that this is a public issue, not just for those working these jobs.

“We’re hoping to get people to look at us and understand what we’re going through. We want them to look as us and say I know what is happening and I want to put in some of my time to help you improve your quality of life,” Brown said.

Janet Sparks, 55, is a Walmart employee and works with the Organization United for Respect at Walmart. Sparks has seen change through her efforts, and was at the march to share those experiences.

“I’m wanna encourage everyone to not be silent and speak up because that’s what brings change, by standing together and speaking up,” Sparks said.

When the Organization for Respect at Walmart first started, the starting pay was $7.90 an hour, and as of last February, it was increased to $10.00 an hour, said Sparks.

“We still have a ways to go, but we’re getting there,” said Sparks.

Brown said above all, she wants people to realize those working behind the counters at their favorite fast food restaurants are no less than them.

“I’m human just like you,” Brown said.