The demonstrators are demanding better wages, healthcare access and work protections by expanding Medicare, and improving home and community-based care.

To successfully recover from the pandemic, good jobs are a must. Wages as low as $7.25 an hour were also never sufficient nor sustainable.

The advocates marched to demand decent, union jobs, a commitment to unemployment insurance (UI) and a complete repair of the current UI system, so everyone can count on support during tough times.

Among the speakers at the demonstration were Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

“It’s a beautiful day for us to remind everyone in Congress that the real power in Washington comes from the people,” said Sen. Markey.

“All of us have got to stand together and tell the billionaire class that our time is now,” said Sanders. “We won’t wait!”

The immigrants rights group Make the Road New York, said their members have “no patience” for inaction. The group called for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, millions of whom risked their lives serving as essential workers throughout the pandemic.