Thanksgiving No Feast for Unemployed as Extension Defeated

This Thanksgiving will be no feast for unemployed Americans, as the UI extension was defeated today in Congress. The US House of Representatives attempted to pass a three-month extension of expiring unemployment benefits, which would have continued checks through Feb. 28, 2011. HR 6419 was called under suspension of the rules, attempting to avoid any motion to recommit, which Republicans could bring in order to prevent moving the bill further. HR 6419 failed by a vote of 258-154, because it’s submission under suspension of the rules requires a two thirds vote to pass. HR 6419 did not have any provision for additional benefits (Tier 5). The bill only would have extended the filing dates for tiers of benefits enacted prior to last fall. The 99ers (unlike the Democrats) do not intend to go down without a fight. Unemployed Americans are taking to the streets to bring attention to the fact that the cruel, heartless extermination of 5 million Americans is unacceptable. This Saturday, November 20, 2010 there will be a “Breadline Protest” in NYC - to hopefully bring attention to the desperation 99ers across the Nation are experiencing daily, after 8 months without UI benefits. See the flyer at this link: FlashMobs4JOBS The flyer text reads: Please join the 99ers, other members of the unemployed, their friends, family and supporters, in recreating a 1930's "breadline" on Saturday, November 20th. We need to bring home the fact that the unemployed have been jobless and without benefits for far too long – and are starving. We will be lining up in front of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, at 33 Liberty Street, in Manhattan, beginning at 11:30 am. Please wear black or dark clothes. Hats, flat caps, scarves and shawls are fine, but no white or bright colors. This is to be a somber event. We will recreate the image from the Great Depression – because we believe this is the Great Depression II, not the Great Recession! Congress and the country have ignored us for too long. On the Saturday before the Thanksgiving holiday we will be invisible no more!

The media will be in attendance. We need to have as many people in the line as we can get, so please reach out to your friends, family, neighbors, and members of your house of worship, to join you. We will be picking up stale loaves, as props, during the week before the event. However, if you can get loaves from stores and bakeries that discard them at closing, each night, please bring them. In Philadelphia, P.U.P. (Philadelphia Unemployment Project) will be holding a Vigil for the Unemployed - Monday, November 22, 2010 - 12 Noon at the Arch Street Methodist Church (between Broad and Arch Streets) From their Website: PUP 

 Without an extension millions will exhaust their benefits during the holiday season and many millions more in the months ahead. Please join us in a vigil for unemployed Americans to call for continuation of the EUC program until unemployment comes down and jobs are available. Rhode Island: NY/NJ area 99ers – joined by supporters, and the unemployed who are still receiving unemployment insurance (UI) – will hold a rally at Providence City Hall to demand that Congress, in the upcoming lame duck session, do their job for the American people and immediately pass The Americans Want to Work Act (S.3706), as well as re-authorize the unemployment extensions set to expire on November 30th for those currently receiving benefits. Their situation is desperate and they continue to be ignored by elected leaders. Rhonda Taylor, organizer of the event and long time tireless advocate for the 99ers plans to bring her children to the event. “My oldest who is 20 will be coming too, but I am going with my 3, 4, and 9 year olds since if help doesn’t come soon we won’t be together any longer by Christmas time.” There are rallies and “Breadline Protests” being planned in Washington State, Colorado and San Diego, CA to name a few. After HR 6419 failed today in the House, Rep. McDermott (D-WA) appeared on the Ed Show on MSNBC where Ed told him how angry the 99ers are at him for not helping with their coveted Tier 5. See the interview here: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy 
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Thanksgiving No Feast for Unemployed as Extension Defeated