Mitsubishi shuts plant in protest

Chicago (AP) - Mitsubishi Motors closed its sole United States assembly plant on Monday and bussed more than 2,000 workers to Chicago to demonstrate outside a federal agency that has accused the motor company of sexual harassment.

Blue-collar workers joined managers on the company-financed trip to picket the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offices.

"Two, four, six, eight! We're here to set the record straight!", protesters chanted. Police closed a downtown street for several blocks during the 90-minute demonstration. The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Mitsubishi two weeks ago after investigating complaints by 29 women who brought a federal lawsuit in 1994. The commission said Mitsubishi management turned a blind eye to "gross and shocking sexual discrimination".

EEOC Chairman Gilbert FCasellas said in a statement the agency "will not be intimidated from pursuing this litigation".