"I don't think that it's the right solution to extend unemployment benefits. We have to deal with the cause of the problem and not the symptoms." – Justin Amash to Grand Rapids Press, Election Day 2010 

In late December, the federal unemployment insurance will run out of money. Unless Congress acts, millions of Americans face the prospect of going hungry and getting thrown out of their homes soon after the holidays.  

Thursday, December 8th, 2011 has been chosen as a national day of action to mobilize support for the AFL-CIO's "America Wants to Work Campaign."

In cities nationwide, unions and their allies, together with the unemployed, the under-employed, and their friends and families, will unite in this day of protest.

In support of Unemployment Action Day, a demonstration hosted by We Are the People will be held outside the office of Congressman Justin Amash. The event is scheduled to occur from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., December 8th and will be located in front of the Federal building at 110 Michigan Street NW.

Speakers & guests have been scheduled by We Are the People.

OPERATION: Squash Amash

Members of Occupy Grand Rapids have scheduled a solidarity march in support of Unemployment Action Day, starting in Monument Park (corner of Fulton & Division) at 1:30 p.m. on December 8th.

The march will wind through the downtown area and head over to Congressman Justin Amash's office at the Federal Building, arriving at shortly before 2 p.m.

Members of Occupy Grand Rapids will conduct a People's Mic reading of the Unemployed Worker's Grievances to the 1%.

Occupy Grand Rapids members also plan to host Speak Outs, two minute sessions for individuals wishing to express their opinions on the subject of unemployment insurance issues, to be shared in video posts on social media networks. A video from a past Speak Out session has been posted here for an example of what to expect.

In a statement released to the media this week, an unnamed supporter of the Occupy Grand Rapids movement who works in a work environment hostile to the Occupy movement and was afraid of retribution, is quoted as saying:

   "The privatization of profits (in the favor of corporations) and the socialization of risks (to the detriment of the citizens) on behalf of the 1% have hurt Michigan workers, families and communities.

Mr. Amash has publicly vowed to work to repeal health care reform and to vote against any extension of unemployment benefits. He has failed to enact any meaningful legislation to bring new jobs to Michigan. He has failed to introduce any legislation that will prevent the loss of even more jobs. He has failed to protect our workers.

Congressman Justin Amash must face the very people that are hurt by his actions. We the people must remind him who he works for and that the next job lost in Michigan might be his job. We are the people."