Today, federal workers furloughed by Donald Trump’s ongoing government shutdown — the longest in history — gathered in the Hart Senate Office building to protest the damage inflicted upon themselves and their families.
Hundreds of thousands of workers have been furloughed for 32 days as of this writing, while others have been forced to work without pay. This week, they will miss their second paycheck. As the shutdown continues to grind on, consequences have multiplied, with TSA workers calling in sick, food inspections being cut back, national parks going becoming hazardous, and couples being unable to marry. If the shutdown continues, SNAP nutritional benefits could be at risk while federal courts may have to shut down.
Today’s protest was organized by labor unions including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and AFL-CIO.
Workers held 33 minutes of silent protest — one minute for each day the shutdown has lasted, chanted “no more food banks. We need paychecks,” held up paper plates to symbolize families going hungry, and then marched to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office.
View photos and videos of the protest today below:
33 minutes of silence for 33 days of the government shutdown. Hundreds of federal workers and supporters gather at Hart Senate Office Building to protest. #OccupyHart @CNSmd pic.twitter.com/TkdPFtnm9b
— Julia Kim (@JuliaKimMedia) January 23, 2019
33 minutes of silent protest here in Hart Senate Office Building for each day of shutdown. Federal workers from various unions holding plates to show they need to feed their families. pic.twitter.com/oNtmwRtgAZ
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) January 23, 2019
Fed up #FederalWorkers and their #unions risking arrest to demand that @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell #CallTheVote and #EndTheShutdown ! pic.twitter.com/iOK5EGrjWM
— IFPTE (@IFPTE) January 23, 2019
We're filling up Hart with empty plates. How are workers supposed to feed thier families with the government shut down? #StopTheShutdown pic.twitter.com/ncrJ9wYXRD
— DC Jobs With Justice (@DCJWJ) January 23, 2019
Our government workers want to do their job and continue serving the American people. But they can’t do that with the government shutdown – and they can’t pay their bills with no paycheck. #StopTheShutdown pic.twitter.com/sN2254p2wH
— AFT (@AFTunion) January 23, 2019
SHUTDOWN THREAD: The protest happening right now in the Senate office building is just the start. Public outrage is spiking. GOP senators are feeling the pressure. Pushing with all possible energy *right now*—before tomorrow's votes—is critical. https://t.co/Yc3d5WJtYa
— Ben Wikler (@benwikler) January 23, 2019
NOW: Federal employees, union workers, supporters at the Hart Senate Building
“NO MORE FOOD BANKS, THEY NEED PAYCHECKS!”#OccupyHart #StopTheShutdown #WheresMitch pic.twitter.com/8SAKCS9GsT
— Kristin Mink (@KristinMinkDC) January 23, 2019
#EndTheShutdown: We went to the Hart Senate Office Building today in Washington, DC, to tell our Senators that it’s time to #StopTheShutdown. @AFGENational #OccupyHart pic.twitter.com/0liWEyfGaw
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) January 23, 2019
Fed up #FederalWorkers and their #unions risking arrest to demand that @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell #CallTheVote and #EndTheShutdown ! pic.twitter.com/iOK5EGrjWM
— IFPTE (@IFPTE) January 23, 2019
