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South Philly Job Fair, Called 'Disorganized' By Some, Draws Hundreds

By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hundreds of people looking for work flocked to the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia today for a "No Excuses" job fair.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's office organized this job fair, called "No Excuses" because there was no reason not to attend, they claimed, even offering shuttle busing from Broad and Oregon to a building at the Navy Yard, bringing job seekers to 50+ employers.

As for turnout, Johnson was overwhelmed.

"Way more people than expected," he said today.

job fair ext _timjim
(Credit: Tim Jimenez)

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So many, that hundreds of people were moved from inside the building to outside because of safety issues, leaving many worried.

"I'm just concerned about the security," said Harvey from North Philadelphia.  "I hope it stays civil. This is a mob!"

"I'm going to stay here until I get some word of what's going on," said Audrey Elaine Coleman.  "I can't afford to actually give up."

Many job seekers called the event disorganized.  Councilman Johnson says it wasn't but added that the huge number of attendees is an unfortunate sign of the times.

"So it's not so much about being unorganized but about the demand and need for jobs in this city," he said.

The Labor Department says the city's unemployment rate is 10.6 percent.

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