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Between 40-50 people rallied outside a McDonald's on Birmingham's 8th Avenue South Wednesday. The ralliers, who left just after 10 a.m., demanded a $15 an hour wage.

A visibly pregnant Jessica Whetstone and her young son Desmond were among around 50 protestors outside the McDonald's restaurant on 8th Avenue South in Birmingham Wednesday morning, rallying for higher wages for fast-food workers.

Whetstone - who said she lives in the Woodlawn area and works at the First Avenue North McDonald's location - said "it's a real struggle" to make it on $7.25 an hour.

"Bills, food, child, baby coming -- it's rough," Whetstone said. "It's barely making it. My paycheck is gone once I get it - before I get it."

The ralliers, dressed in red t-shirts, are part of the Fight for $15 movement, which seeks a $15 an hour wage for fast food workers.

The ralliers chanted "Can't stay alive on $7.25," and "Hold the burger, hold the fries, make my wages supersized."

"$7.25 is not enough money to provide for families," Whetstone told AL.com. "The price of living is raising every year, but minimum wage is remaining the same, and I feel like it's not fair to us."

"Fast food is not an easy job," Whetstone said. "We're slaving in there, and we deserve more than $7.25. That's why we're here today."

A McDonald's USA spokesperson said in a statement that wages are set locally by franchisees according to job level and local and federal laws.

"We respect people's right to peacefully protest, and our restaurants remain open every day with the focus on providing an exceptional experience for our customers," the statement, provided by McDonald's USA Media Relations Manager Terri Hickey, said.

"Recently, McDonald's USA announced a wage increase and paid time off for employees at its company-owned restaurants and expanded educational opportunities for eligible employees at all restaurants," the statement said. "This is an important and meaningful first step as we continue to look at opportunities that will make a difference for employees."

Hickey said that, historically, according to data from local restaurants and regional staff, few McDonald's workers have participated in similar protests.

The rally was peaceful. Birmingham Police became involved after one woman in the lobby of the restaurant loudly demanded the name of a McDonald's employee she claimed was rude to her. After talking to police for several minutes, she walked out of the restaurant and rejoined the protestors outside.

The ralliers marched away, still chanting, shortly after 10 a.m. An organizer said they are headed to Atlanta to join larger action there.