Furloughed EPA employees protest shutdown in front of Seattle headquarters

Furloughed EPA employees want to get back to work. On Thursday, they gathered together in front of the EPA headquarters in Seattle to protest the ongoing government shutdown.

Roughly 30 protesters in front of the building waved signs that read “clean air and clean water" or signs that urged the government to “call the vote." They chanted in unison, whooping and cheering whenever a passing car honked in solidarity.

Audrey Washington has worked at the agency for more than two decades. She’s worried about the impact the shutdown will have on the important work the EPA does, like regular surface water testing. She's also worried about making next month’s rent, due February 4.

“I’m trying to apply for unemployment and other things to see if I can come up with my rent,” she said.

Others worry about the long term impacts of the shutdown.

Running Grass has worked for the EPA for 21 years. He said he’ll be alright without a paycheck for a few more months, but if the shutdown continues for that long, he’ll have to start thinking of how to take care of his family and his home.

And there's a bigger psychological strain that comes with being furloughed, Grass said. It's hard to stay at home, knowing that you can't fulfill your public service responsibilities.

“I think the damage that is being done is to the very concept of serving the American people,” he said.

While protesters did speak to the financial burdens they faced, they underlined the importance of the EPA’s work in regulating and protecting environmental standards.

“I do worry that without having regulators in place, I just don’t know what could be happening,” said Sally Thomas, a former EPA employee. She attended the rally in solidarity with current EPA staff. “It’s harder to get pollution back once it’s been released.”

Running Grass said it’s been hard to get through the shutdown – now the longest in history. He said that in times like these, it’s important to take care of oneself.

“After the demonstration I’m going to go to yoga,” said Running Grass with a chuckle. “Having a good support network, doing your meditation, eating well, it’s a fine balance.”