Lunch vigil protests possible cuts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Wednesday, vigils took place across the country to protest cutting of major government programs.

The protests are called Brown Bag Lunch Vigils, because they take their lunch break to talk to the public and tell Congress about protecting the middle and low income classes.

Wednesday afternoon, there were around 20 people standing outside of old Federal Building in Springfield with flyers and signs. The group Progressive Democrats of America chose Senator John Kerry's office because he will be voting on the supercommittee to reduce the deficit.

The group says cuts don't have to be made to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. Instead, they think the deficit can be reduced by creating jobs and investing on Main Street instead of Wall Street.

“So we're here to say don't balance the deficit on the backs of the 99%, but rather to get America back to work and that's why we're here to let Senator Kerry know during our lunch hour,” said Jim Carpenter of the Progressive Democrats of America.

The group said that these vigils have been going on since 2009.