Unemployed In Kentucky Rally In Protest of Congress Not Extending Unemployment Benefits

Click to read full story from Fox 41

By: Rachel Collier - rcollier@fox41.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB-Fox 41)--Unemployment benefits are running out for thousands, and some Kentuckians are lashing out at a senator they are blaming for the problem.

Some held a rally together to get Washington's attention right outside of Senator Mitch McConnell's office Wednesday.

Protesters cheer as cars roll by and honk, and for them, the more honks the better. They want their message heard loud and clear: "Can you hear us Senator McConnell? Can you hear us?" they chant. They want Senator Mitch McConnell and other Republicans to stop blocking an extension of unemployment benefits.

Brenda Johnson was laid off sixteen months ago, and her benefits have just now run out. "It's so hard right now to find a job, you know, I'm not used to this. I don't want to be beggin' people."

A large group of unemployed workers and labor activists rallied outside McConnell's office, and say they are fed up. "I call for solidarity!" one woman shouted through a megaphone.

"He don't have to worry about where his next meal is or how he's going to pay a bill," said Johnson.

"Without that pay right there, people have to be concerned about being able to keep their homes, being able to feed their families, and the continuation of life," said protester Kirk Gillenwaters, "but unfortunately Mitch doesn't see fit to extend these benefits and the toll it's taking on the people across the state of Kentucky and the United States."

A small group actually tried to go and talk to the senator. They were able to speak to a spokesperson who said McConnel is in support of extending benefits, but in a fiscally responsible manner. "What we're not willing to do," said the senator in a previous statement, "is use worthwhile programs as an excuse to burden our children and grandchildren with an even bigger national debt than we've got."

Below is our JMC LIVE Video Showing How The Unemployment Statistics Are Not Accurate and That the number of unemployed people are much higher than what you are being told


The protesting and people riling up like this is only going to get worse. As more and more men and women lose their benefits and still cannot find work. They will grow more and more desperate to feed and house their families. If we don't help these people who are struggling and are adamantly trying to find work with no success then these people will be forced into drastic measures. Crime will rise, murders, and suicides are going to grow and people will start to lose all hope. We must as the United States Of America help them.