JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Voices from across Mississippi gathered in Jackson on Monday for a symbolic protests outside U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s office.

As part of the nationwide “Moral Monday” movement led by Bishop William Barber and Repairers of the Breach, participants carried caskets around Hyde-Smith’s office. They said each casket represents the lives that will be lost due to recent cuts in the new federal budget.

“We saw an example today of why these senators continue to vote bad, because they don’t even want to talk to the people. They made up excuses like, ‘Well, you don’t have an appointment.’ You don’t have to have an appointment for an emergency room, and senators’ offices are emergency rooms now. Yes, because 51,000 people will die from this big, bad, ugly, destructive bill,” said Barber.

Protesters ended the day by posting letters on the doors of Hyde-Smith’s office, outlining their demands and calling on her to take action.