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Missouri Capitol Site of Rally Over Pay, Health Care

Missouri Capitol Building
j.stephenconn
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Missouri Statehouse in Jefferson City

  At least 200 demonstrators are rallying at the Missouri Capitol to call for a higher minimum wage and expanded health care.

The rally Monday was one of 30 scheduled nationwide as part of the "Moral Monday" movement.

The movement began in 2013 against conservative policies that advocates say hurt the poor and minorities. The Rev. Will Barber, who gained attention when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention, is leading a protest in North Carolina.

Demonstrators in Jefferson City asked for a minimum wage of $15 an hour and expanded Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults. Faith leaders at the rally also urged participants to vote against a proposed state constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot that would allow lawmakers to require voters to show photo identification at the polls.

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