St. Paul, MN – Standing in front of banner reading, “Bail out poor and working people – not billionaires!” leaders of the Welfare Rights Committee announced a campaign to combat the impact of the growing economic crisis at a press conference here, Oct. 29. They were joined by members of AFSCME Local 3800, the Anti-War Committee, Women Against Military Madness and other peace and justice groups.

Tasha Jackson, of the Welfare Rights Committee stated “Today, Oct. 29, is the anniversary of the 1929 Wall Street crash – which for many marked the beginning of the Great Depression. Today on Oct. 29, we are here at the Minnesota State Capitol, as poor and working people, to demand that Governor Pawlenty and state politicians address the economic crisis that is going on right now, right here, for our families in Minnesota.”

Minnesota is facing a budget deficit of nearly a billion dollars. Observers expect that the budget crisis will grow worse in coming months. In the past the state of Minnesota has attempted to balance the budget on the backs for low income and working class people.

Angel Buechner announced, “The Welfare Rights Committee is initiating and leading an effort that will forward a People’s Agenda in Minnesota. We will call for a moratorium on foreclosures, an extension of unemployment benefits, a moratorium on the welfare time limit, a freeze on layoffs as well as other initiatives. We will be bringing our message to the people of Minnesota and bringing our demands to Pawlenty and policy makers in this state. We will bring together poor and working people to demand no cuts to poor and working people, and that politicians make the rich pay for the crisis.”

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