Senator Sanders to hold rallies calling for minimum wage hike

WASHINGTON – Senator Bernie Sanders has announced plans to hold rallies in three southeastern U.S. states to demand an increase in minimum wages.

Sanders and labor leaders are calling for an increase in the minimum wage to $17 per hour.

Although several states have reset higher minimum wages, the federal rate has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009.

Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), said Monday that many Americans have to get by on $9, $10, or $12 an hour.

“Low-income workers need a pay raise and the American people want them to get that raise. The injustice must be ended,” he said. 

Sanders, along with Bishop William Barber II, will hold an initial rally Thursday in Durham, North Carolina. They will also be joined by Durham County Democratic Commissioner Nida Allam.

The second rally will be held Friday in Nashville, the capital of Tennessee.

On June 3, the senator will speak at the third rally in Charleston, South Carolina.

“At a time of massive and growing income and wealth inequality and record-breaking corporate profits, we must stand up for working families—many of whom are struggling every day to provide a minimal standard of living for their families,” Sanders said ahead of his rallies. 

A poll conducted in early May found that Americans believe they need to earn $26.20 an hour to have a decent quality of life.

Earlier in 2021, the Republican-controlled House and Senate had blocked a measure to raise wages to $15 an hour.

“There are too many Americans trying to survive and raise families on $9, $10, or $12 an hour. It cannot be done. This injustice must end,” Sanders added.

 “Low-income workers need a pay raise and the American people want them to get that raise.”

A thinktank Data for Progress last week released polling results that show 76% of likely voters across party lines would support a $17 hourly minimum wage—and 74% would support $20.