Vigil mourns soon to expire unemployment benefits

It seems unlikely Congress will extend unemployment benefits, so protesters in Philadelphia held a vigil mourning the extension’s death.

The vigil was held in a church in the shadow of Philadelphia City Hall with mourners carrying signs urging elected officials to extend unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who will be losing them by the end of the year.  One unemployed worker Rashida Johnson cried as she spoke of how she had to move back in with family.

“I want to go back into the workforce again, there’s nothing like being on your own and being independent and not relying on others and not being a burden,” said Johnson.

Former Cigna worker Bill West is unemployed at age 63 and he believes his working career is over.

“What about the other 15 million people, they are young they have families, they have kids, this is no way to run a country,” said West.

The group urged congress to approve an unemployment extension immediately and do more to spur the economy.