Signs abound on the capitol steps, as Pennsylvania state employees protest the fact that we've been required to work for the past four weeks without pay.
Assembling on the capitol steps for an hour, Pennsylvania state employees “overruled” the sun and heat to make their voices heard. Several hundred protesters are out-of-frame, standing in the shade from the trees on either side of the steps.
Protesters sought shade wherever it could be found. Although the capitol steps weren't at capacity, many people spilled across the street to seek shelter from the noon-time sun.
The sign reads “Ed Rendell: My mommy can't afford to pay for my co-pays. I need to go to the dentist. What about me? Would you care if I were your child?”
SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, also arrived. Thanks to WTAJ, WGAL, WHTM, PCN, and Roxbury News, all of whom provided coverage of the event. Other media outlets, where were you?
The sign reads “Dad laid off 4/26/09 + Mom no pay 7/1/09 = Family in Crisis”. AFSCME was handing out the “Budget Hostage” and “Pass a Budget Now” placards.
A corner view of the protesters.
The front of the helmet reads “Budget Bu$ter”. The side is “Show us the money $” and the back reads “No Money No Funny”.
Various speakers are not visible in this shot. A very weak PA system was helped by the PA system on the AFL-CIO party bus, parked across the street.
AFSCME volunteers were handing out free water, t-shirts, orange armbands, placards, and ponchos.
The AFL-CIO bus was parked across the street for /b/ackup. They were re-broadcasting the audio from the various speakers at the rally on the capitol steps.
