On February 13 a dozen protesters were arrested in the lobby of Atlanta’s AT&T Midtown Center after they refused to leave until the company promised to not layoff 740 workers in the southeast. One of those arrested was Darlene Jones-Owen who one of the founders of Everyday People Occupy Atlanta. She spoke on Tuesday at a Valentine’s Day Rally and said it was her first time being arrested.

[Jones-Owen]: I did it for American workers. I have no relationship with a union, but I love America and I’m willing to stand up for American workers.

AT&T issued a statement saying that nearly all of the employees facing layoff have received a “guaranteed job offer” and the move reflects a shift in business as consumers move away from wire lines. Occupy Atlanta protesters have set up tents in front of the building and have vowed to stay out front until the company rescinds the layoffs.

The Teamsters also joined the rally to express solidarity with the Communications Workers of America workers at AT&T. Teamsters Local 728 President Randy Brown spoke:

[Brown]: It’s about you and I. Us standing together against the 1 percent that are doing everything they can to look after theirself and doing everything they can to take care of the very top and the corporations. More money, more money, more money.