
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Over 100 people gathered in Center City Saturday to demand that the powers that be raise the minimum wage in Philadelphia to 15 dollars an hour.
READ MORE: Villanova University Reports Male Student Allegedly Sexually Assaulted 4 Female Students In Residence HallsJustin Harrison, a volunteer organizer with the group “15 Now”, says with the current minimum wage it’s virtually impossible to make ends meet:
“We have families, people who work multiple part-time jobs to make full-time hours, or even people who work full-time jobs at $7.25 and they’re still struggling to pay the rent, to pay their utilities, to pay transportation for their kids to get to school.”
READ MORE: New Jersey Easing Restrictions On Wedding Reception CapacityVolunteer Kate Goodman was one of the speakers encouraging City Council members to demand a statewide minimum wage increase in Harrisburg and she says it’s an uphill battle.
“We face strong, well-funded opponents who know what they want and they’re willing to go to great lengths to defend their power, privilege and wealth;” says Goodman, “Because the one thing they fear the most is a militant, united, multiracial, multi gender working class movement.”
And Goodman says it’s up to leaders in Philadelphia to address the issue there.
MORE NEWS: Philadelphia Archdiocese Agrees With Church Leaders Discouraging Catholics From Getting Johnson & Johnson Vaccine“Democratic mayoral nominee Jim Kenney must stay strong in his support for a $15/hour minimum wage. It’s not okay to run on 15 Now if you’re not willing to introduce 15 Now!”