Michelle Basch, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Members of Occupy D.C., religious leaders and labor unions came together Thursday for a series of rallies and marches in and around the U.S. Capitol.

At a late morning rally in a park across from the U.S. Capitol building, dozens gathered to listen to speeches by people who are or were unemployed.

The coalition of groups wants members of Congress to do more for those who are out of work, including extending unemployment insurance benefits.

Following the rally, the marchers quietly walked to the steps of the Capitol, where some climbed the steps and unfurled a banner that read “99% Take Back The Capitol.”

Long-stemmed white carnations that were passed out to participants during the rally were then tossed in front of the banner, onto the Capitol steps.

Capitol Police officers told the marchers to keep moving, so the banner was rolled up and the march continued to Longworth House Office Building.

There, participants waved signs and chanted: “One: We’re unemployed. Two: We are united. Three: Tell the Speaker we’re not leaving.”

The coalition says it requested a meeting with House Speaker John Boehner, but was turned down. Once that news was shared with the crowd outside the Longworth building, the group returned to its camp.

No arrests were reported.

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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All rights reserved.)