Jobs Protest, Job Fair Highlight Public Concern

Protesters took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles Wednesday morning to show their discontent with the U.S. Senate's Tuesday evening vote against the American Jobs Act.

"Jobs and job creation should be our top priority," said Refugio Mata from Good Jobs LA.

The protesters were joined by Occupy L.A. demonstrators.

The American Jobs Act, which called for tax relief on small businesses and infrastructure investment was a strategy to tackle long-term unemployment by putting more people back to work.

"We're here to fight for justice, fight for our people, and we're not going to give up. We need moer jobs in this community," cried the protestors.

Across town, hundreds gathered at the Valley Hiring Spree, in hopes of landing much-desired positions. The job fair, presented by the Los Angeles County Office of Education, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Councilman Mitchell Englander and more companies, was held at the Balboa Sports Center in Encino.

"We have over fifty employers here today. They represent fifteen hundred job openings," said Jessica Williams, from LA County Office of Education.

The job fair aims to ease discontent among the public and help put some L.A. County residents back to work.

"Just given the economy, the hardships people are facing today, we're looking to help out in any way possible," said Erik Richardson, spokesperson for Councilman Englander.