Supporters of proposed ordinances in St. Louis and Kansas City to raise the minimum wage on Thursday rallied outside the Missouri Supreme Court, while the state's high court heard arguments challenging them.
Two trade associations have challenged the measure, which would increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2020 in those cities.
Across High Street, protesters held signs reading "We can't survive on $7.65." Their signs were complemented by symphonic chants like "What's outrageous? Poverty wages!" and "Working families are under attack. What do we do? Stand up and fight back."
The supporters came as representatives of Missouri Jobs with Justice, a St. Louis nonprofit that fought to get the minimum wage ordinance on the November ballot. The ordinance was challenged by the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association after being approved in the summer of 2015.
DeAdra Rounds, a member of the Service Employees International Union, explained the current minimum wage is affecting a lot of younger people who are trying to build something.
"You can't expect them to work for $7.25 for the rest of their lives," Rounds said. "Companies are getting tax breaks but are not paying the employees what they deserve."
Richard Von Glahn, director at Missouri Jobs with Justice, stood with protesters as they prepared for Thursday's hearing at the Supreme Court. He said there has been a failure of leadership at the state and federal level.
"With 19 years in Congress, Roy Blunt has never voted for a wage increase," Glahn said. "It is that failed leadership that causes elected leaders in St. Louis and Kansas city to stand up and fight for their constituents."
Rounds and Ricky Moore, members of the Service Employees International Union from St. Louis, agreed now is the time for a change in the federal minimum wage.
"If we're not making money, there's no way to spend money," Rounds said.
Moore said he hoped the demonstration had an impact on the court's decision.
"There's a Taco Bell everywhere," Rounds added. "You pay them $7 and you get $7 service."
The protesters were a mix of young and old employees eager to tell their stories of why the minimum wage needs to be increased.
"There are 96,000 Missourians who make minimum wage," Glahn said. "People across the state know that $365 a week while working full time isn't enough, and we are going to continue to fight for the wages until we get the wage that everyone deserves."