Protesters target Amazon in Patterson

PATTERSON -- Protesters went to Patterson on Wednesday, taking aim at the Amazon distribution center under construction there.

According to City Manager Rod Butler, five or so union-affiliated protesters from the Bay Area arrived on the sidewalk in front of City Hall about 8 a.m.

They put up two large signs, a grim reaper effigy and a giant thumbs-down sign, in protest of Amazon's labor practices.

Butler said the protesters were not obstructing the entrance to City Hall; they were handing out brochures to passers-by.

"We have notified the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department and have made contact with the protestors to make sure that they are not interfering with access to City Hall," Butler said.