enough is enough we can no longer Stand By and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people protesters rallied outside of the federal courthouse in Portland Monday as a judge started hearing the case surrounding a proposed Kroger Albert since merger Federal Regulators argue the multi-billion dollar deal is anti-competitive while the Grocers say it will benefit consumers not hurt them in continuing coverage tonight Kroger and Albert s were in court Monday defending the plan against the Federal Trade Commission that filed a lawsuit back in February looking to block it the $24 billion deal the largest proposed merger in US history was first announced in October of 2022 the chain saying a merger would lower prices and help them compete with larger stores like Walmart many employees protested outside the courthouse Monday morning as the FTC argues the merge would eliminate competition increase prices and lower employee wages already American pay too high of grocery prices and if competition is removed from this merger then the prices could go even higher it's going to be real trouble uh because a lot of us are on in fixed incomes and we just can't afford higher prices right now if the deal goes through Kroger and Albertson have already said they will sell dozens of Safeway Albertson and QFC stores in Oregon and Washington concerning frequent Shoppers it's now up to a federal judge to decide whether or not to Grant the ftc's request for a delay as they continue to fight the merch