UPDATE: Protesters at Darling's Office Demand Special Session on Unemployment

• This story was updated at Noon Wednesday to include comments from Sen. Alberta Darling.

In what has become a reoccurring scene throughout state Sen. Alberta Darling’s district, protesters once again gathered in front of her office Tuesday - this time in Menomonee Falls.

In a protest sponsored by Wisconsin Jobs Now, a group of about 50 to 60 people demanded both the Republican senator and Gov. Scott Walker call a special session to secure additional unemployment benefits in Wisconsin.

More than 10,000 unemployed Wisconsin residents saw their extended benefits run out April 16, according to the Journal Sentinel. The Legislature chose not to accept $89 million in federal funding that would have extended these benefits to the out-of-work for another 13 weeks, from 73 weeks to 86 weeks.

However, Darling released a statement after the protest Tuesday saying she supports extending unemployment benefits to the out-of-work in Wisconsin. Darling said legislation is currently in the works to allow the benefits to extend for another 13 weeks.

“Recently, the non-partisan Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council voted unanimously to work with the state Senate and Assembly to craft legislation to address extending unemployment benefits an additional 13 weeks,” Darling said. “I support an extension and will work with my colleagues to pass the measure as soon as possible.” 

The Legislature will not meet again until September, so the rally cry among protesters Tuesday was, “No question, special session.” If a special session is held, the Legislature could change state law to receive the federally funded unemployment benefits, which would be paid back retroactively to recipients.

“We are here to demand that Alberta Darling call a special session of the legislature and call it now.,” Rosen said via megaphone to the crowd gathered. “If they can call a special session to reward corporations, then they can call a special session to get the money into the pockets of the unemployed”

Rosen warned that if the Legislature didn’t act soon, thousands more would be added to the list of 10,000 Wisconsin residents whose extended benefits have expired.

Most those in attendance depended on their extended benefits to support them while they searched for work. Wendy Zetting, of Milwaukee, was a flight attendant who was placed on furlough in December 2009, and has not been called back. She is currently looking for a job and going to school.

“I’m not sitting at home on my butt doing nothing. I have a part time job, I go to school full time, and I volunteer at my church,” Zetting said. “My unemployment benefits are going to end in a few weeks. How am I supposed to finish going to school to get an education and get a better job if my benefits are being cut?”

Milwaukee resident Rose Wright said benefits were cut off in May. Wright worked as a nursing assistant for 17 years, and as a janitor. She was evicted from her home Saturday.

“We count on that unemployment every week. It helps us,” Wright said. “Scott Walker, can I come and stay with you and your family? Will you feed my family? We’ve got nothing coming in and nothing going out.”

Several protesters knocked on the door of the Chamber of Commerce offices, which Darling shares, to deliver a letter signed by those in attendance. However, nobody answered.

Darling's 8th Senate District includes Menomonee Falls, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point and Bayside.