Public Employee Press

Marchers: Hands off Social Security and M'Care
Pressure builds against S.I. Republican Michael Grimm

DC 37 members joined a coalition of community activists on a statewide caravan that targeted elected officials who have been attacking the rights of working people and backing harsh cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The coalition, including members of DC 37, DC 1707, the Working Families Party and the Restore the American Promise group, rallied against Congress member Mike Grimm July 20 near the Staten Island ferry terminal.

"Working people have earned these benefits," Local 1549 Retiree Belinda Dixon told the protesters, "and they will not be taken away without a fight."

Grimm has voted in Congress to create a "fast track" to cut Social Security benefits, to slash $1.4 million from Medicaid and to raise the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67 while he voted for a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.

The activists hit Grimm again Aug. 8 with a rally across the street from his District Office on New Dorp Lane where they chanted "Save our safety net" as scores of cars drove past honking their horns in support of the demonstrators.