4th ANNUAL VIRGINIA PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY (Richmond, Danville: crime, home, unemployment benefits)

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In Virginia, more than a quarter-million workers are officially unemployed. Our unemployment rate of 6.5 percent is lower than the national figure of 9.1, but that’s an average that masks the true picture. (1)

As of August, the official unemployment rate was 10 percent or higher in 15 Virginia cities and counties, with Fredericksburg at 10.1, Hopewell 11.4, Emporia 11.6, Danville 12.7, Petersburg 13.2, Williamsburg 14.5 and Martinsville at a whopping 19.4 percent. Even in the capital city of Richmond, home to the state government, many universities, hospitals and banking establishments, nearly one out of every 10 workers – 9.9 percent – was officially unemployed. (1)

Remember, these are only the official figures. They don’t include unemployed youths who have never held a job, so-called “discouraged” workers who have exhausted unemployment benefits and are no longer counted, prisoners, military personnel or anyone trying to survive on a part-time job.

4th ANNUAL VIRGINIA PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY | War Is A Crime .org