Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

21st Century Breadline
On Saturday afternoon tourists in front of the Federal Reserve building on Liberty Street must have been confused – or at least they’ll have a good story when they return home. A protest was held simulating a breadline, common during the Great Depression, and over 35 people turned out in vintage garb to bring attention to the new generation of “99ers.” The moniker describes those who lost their Unemployment Insurance benefits after not being able find work in the 99-week period after they lost their jobs. The end of November will mark the end of U.I. benefits for today’s workers.