SECAUCUS - 13 people were taken away in handcuffs by police today as they were protesting Walmart's labor practices at the retail giant's store in the Harmon Meadow shopping center.

The protest, which started at noon, is part of a nationwide effort to call attention to Walmart, which has been pilloried by labor unions that say the company offers low wages and scant healthcare coverage.

Today, hundreds of protesters, who police would only allow to congregate outside the nearby LA Fitness instead of Walmart itself, chanted, "Walmart, no good, treat the workers like you should."

Walmart could not immediately be reached to comment. But last month, Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon defended its business practices to The Jersey Journal, saying a large majority of its workers earn more than the minimum wage.

Secaucus police could not immediately be reached to comment on the nature of the number of people detained or the nature of the charges they face. Mayor Michael Gonnelli Gonnelli said the 13 protesters were locked up for blocking traffic from entering Walmart's parking lot.