Mickey Mouse Arrested in Disneyland Protest

by Laura Gosselin | August 15th, 2008

Eric Zuniga, dressed as Mickey Mouse, was among the Disneyland employees arrested during a demonstration. (AP Images)

Twenty-three hundred maids, bell hops, dishwashers and cooks from three Disney-owned hotels dressed as Disney's most lovable characters while protesting against a new workers' contract, which their union says would make health care unaffordable and create an unfair two-tier wage system. Their previous contract expired in February.

The OC Register has video footage. Thirty-two protesters were arrested on misdemeanor count of failure to obey a police officer and two traffic infractions after an hour-long march to Disneyland's magic gates.

Before the arrests, the demonstrators chanted outside Paradise Pier, holding signs that read, "Disney is unfaithful," and "Mickey, shame on you."