ST. PAUL — Twenty-six people were arrested for blocking traffic Friday as hundreds of low-wage retail workers marched along a road in St. Paul to demand higher pay on a day when many others were concentrating on their Black Friday holiday spending spree.

Police spokesman Howie Padilla said about 400 people participated in the march; organizers estimated nearly 1,000 protesters were part of the rally. The march coincided with other demonstrations, including one at the Brooklyn Center Walmart.

In St. Paul, the arrests came after a group linked arms and blocked an intersection.

Groups collaborating on the protests included Service Employees International Union Local 26, TakeAction Minnesota, Minnesotans for a Fair Economy and other labor groups. They said workers deserve higher wages.

Maintenance workers and supporters also banged drums outside the downtown Minneapolis Target store.

“For too long, we have seen the rich get richer while working families get less and less. We’re sick and tired of this,” said Leroy Graham, a Diversified Maintenance employee, said in a statement. His employer cleans Target stores.

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said it’s disappointing that the group representing the maintenance workers took this approach. She says no Target stores experienced maintenance worker walkouts and the protest didn’t affect store operations.