Jobless Occupiers Stage Sit-In at Mitch McConnell's Office

About 20 jobless D.C. residents -- some members of the Occupy movement -- staged a sit-in Thursday afternoon at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office. The activists came clad in homemade T-shirts reading: "I need a job."

According to ABC, alongside the Occupiers, other participants are part of "Our DC," a jobs advocacy group.  The activists were reportedly dining on Subway sandwiches while "occupying" every piece of furniture in McConnell's office lobby -- some sat on the floor.

Most of the protestors pledged to remain where they are until they are granted a face-to-face meeting with the minority leader.

ABC adds:

“We believe the senators need to hear, feel and understand the pain of the unemployed,” a member  of the protest said, “The bottom line for here is that there is bitter, bitter pain of not working and gridlock and they want folks to see it, hear it and feel it.”

The group has been offered a lower-level meeting with a McConnell staff assistant, but the protestors said they wouldn’t leave until they got to speak directly to the majority leader. The protest has so far stayed calm and peaceful. As they occupy McConnell’s office, the protestors have been busy on cell phones delivering the same message to other senators.

“Every day, I apply every single day. If I’m not on the computer, I’m out there looking for various work around the region,” Andre Henson, an unemployed short-order cook said.  "I go to D.C., Maryland, Virginia. Doesn’t really matter. Anywhere I can get on the train, because I don’t have a car. But I’m out here every day doing it.”

The group said the main purpose of their visit was to make senators “feel the pain” of D.C.'s unemployed.