Welfare recipients protest at the State House

Welfare recipients protest at the State House

African American politicians Urban poor Welfare economics Civil rights Segregation

Welfare recipients protest on the snowy steps of the Massachusetts State House on a winter day. Several protesters hold protests signs. Elected officials and candidates in the race for the eighth Congressional District seat are present. A woman addresses the crowd, saying that she is on welfare due to her poor health and that she cannot survive on her welfare check. Jack Backman (State Senator) welcomes the crowd. Backman says that families on welfare are living below the poverty line. Backman talks about the need to pass legislation in order to change this. Darlene Ellis (welfare activist) addresses the crowd. She says that poor people and welfare recipients need to be aware of their rights. George Bachrach (candidate for US Congress) addresses the crowd. Bachrach says that he supports the bill proposing to increase welfare benefits by 25%. Tom Gallagher (candidate for US Congress) addresses the crowd. He says that welfare recipients must be brought up to the poverty line because they are not sharing in the economic prosperity. Joe Kennedy (candidate for US Congress) addresses the crowd. He says that poor families do not have enough money to pay for necessities. Mel King (candidate for US Congress) accuses state officials of a poverty of spirit and mind. King says that the demonstrators must show their power by holding legislators accountable for their policy decisions. David Magnani (State Representative) addresses the crowd. He says that the demonstrators are the leaders in this movement for change. The protesters climb the stairs of the State House and gather at the entrance.

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