Advocates with The Poor People's Campaign are gathering in Bolton outside the office of Mississippi's 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson. They want the state’s congressional delegation to sign the resolution for a 3rd Reconstruction, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15, make election day a holiday, and prevent law enforcement agencies from receiving military-grade equipment. Democrat Bennie Thompson supports the resolution and says minorities in Mississippi are disproportionately affected by poverty.
“And if we are the greatest country in the world, then we should care about everyone who lives here, not just a certain class of people,” says Thompson. “So this third reconstruction effort is about leveling the playing field, creating job opportunity and wealth for everyone who lives here.”
Employers across Mississippi have been complaining about a shortage of employees because federal coronavirus unemployment benefits are paying more than the minimum wage. Nsombi Lambright is CEO of One Voice Mississippi and is a supporter of the 3rd Reconstruction Resolution. She says it seems logical for people to not return to low-paying jobs if unemployment benefits pay more.
“If you had the choice to go to work and work 20 hours at $7.00 an hour and leave your family, or get unemployment, what would you do,” says Lambright. “Many of us would make the same decision. And so, yes, ending poverty wages is absolutely mandatory.”
The group is also calling on Mississippi's other three congressmen to sign the resolution.
