Amendu Evans brings us a report from the Essential Services Coalition’s Press Conference that took place before the Mayor’s Budget forum in West Philadelphia. Speakers at the press conference included a security guard from one of the city’s homeless shelters, facing deep wage and benefit cuts due to the Mayor's budget. Amendu also shares his perspective on the Budget Forum, asking the question, "Were these forums really meant to empower us, or were they designed to divide the community and keep us quiet?"