ORLANDO, Fla. — While thousands of central Floridians hit the beach Labor Day, dozens of protesters used the holiday to help bring awareness to hunger, homelessness and poverty in Orlando.
Demonstrators held signs Monday as they marched through downtown, some wearing blindfolds to get their message across.
Organizers of the event said they didn't know what to expect, considering they planned it just days ago. But they were surprised by the turnout.
"Some of the folks today are wearing blindfolds and being led around the downtown corridor representing Orlando's blindness to its working poor and poverty problem," said Eric Grey of the Community Food and Outreach Center.
About 70 people took to the streets to bring awareness to the fact that more than half of Orlando residents live at one of the lowest income rates in the nation.
"In Orlando, specifically, to bring attention to the fact that we are last place in wages as a major American city. For 15 years, it's been this way, and it's getting worse," said Grey.
"A lot of us are hiding it. It's really hard to admit I am struggling financially when you have a job. It's really difficult," said struggling resident Mark Warmoth.
"This isn't people who are lazy. These are people that are working very hard, and the maximum they can make is under $25,000," said struggling resident Keith Theriot.
Organizers said that often, too much attention is paid only to the minimum wage argument when there other things that should be done to ease the financial burdens on families.
"So we're stuck in the mud on this one issue. Talk about the 98 other reasons that we can fix thing," said Grey.
The protesters said they hope the march sends a message to community and business leaders that people should be paying more attention to the needs of the town.
WFTV
