DETROIT - Minimum wage workers in Detroit want city council members to help them achieve a more sustainable income.
"Making $8.15, you can't even make enough to pay your rent or your gas bill," says Alicia Roberson who works at Dollar Tree and Little Ceasars. "My last check was $178. I have three kids. How can I take care of my three kids on $178. It's impossible."
"We get paid bi-weekly. My check was $343. My rent is $400, let alone my other bills," said McDonald's employee Tashara Carter. "So no, I am not able to make it off $8.15."
They say they work hard, and would find better jobs if they could - but without being able to afford college, options are limited.
"We want to be part of the balance, and we work hard enough for it. Hard work deserves honest pay. We don't receive the honest pay," said Burger King employee Ricardo Jackson.
Today in New York, the governor approved a proposal to raise wages for fast food workers to $15 an hour.
"New York got their raise. California got their raise. We are just asking city council to give us our raise. We need $15 an hour," said Wendy's employee LuWanda Williamson.
"You would see you less crime rates, because there are more opportunities. People don't have to feel tempted to commit crime when they're making enough money. If I'm not making enough money, the temptation lies there," said Jackson.
"Bottom line, together we stand divided we fall," said Pastor W.J. Rideout. He says today's protest is about showing the public their stance, and that work with city leaders is progressing behind closed doors.
"The city knows that we've been doing this. Every leader from the city to the county to the state, they are going to come and talk to us, we will be working together. We want to make the economy better."
City leaders didn't come outside to talk to protesters Thursday. Protesters say they'll be back and stronger than ever.