A group of protesters blocked a major intersection in San Diego Wednesday as part of a national strike aimed at raising awareness of fast food workers' wages.

The group sat with a large banner in the middle of University Avenue near Interstate 15 in the City Heights community east of downtown.

San Diego police could be seen detaining at least three of the protesters before picking up the banner and clearing the intersection for traffic. Officials later said 10 people were arrested.

The protest is part of a one-day nationwide strike against chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Jack in the Box.

Two of the stores along University Avenue locked their doors as the group of protesters approached.

Employees are demanding pay of $15 an hour and the right to unionize.

Restaurants, like McDonald's, have said they respect people's rights to protest.

The company issued a statement that said in part, "The topic of minimum wage goes well beyond McDonald's- it affects our country's entire workforce. McDonald's and our independent franchisees support paying our valued employees fair wages aligned with a competitive marketplace."

Wendy's also released a response to the protest saying, "We're proud to give thousands of people, who come to us for an entry-level job, the opportunity to learn and develop important skills so that they can grow with us or move on to something else."

A large group of protesters left the intersection and continued walking with signs along University Avenue until they reached the McDonald's. The action was causing a delay for commuters - a not-too-popular fact NBC 7 reports.