On December 10th, 2012, a group of demonstrators from multiple organizations gathered in front of Senator Charles Schumer's offices at 780 Third Avenue in New York City to encourage the Senator to maintain his commitment, in the face of threats of a "Fiscal Cliff," to resist any kind of budget package that would involve cuts to social safety net services such as Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare.
Several speakers made the case for ending the Bush-era tax cuts permanently, and to find ways to balance state budgets that do not involve reducing services for our most vulnerable citizens.
The need for more comprehensive and accessible healthcare was also a major theme, with chants of "Medicare for All" ringing up and down the block.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, multiple groups spoke to the need to not only rebuild--but to Rebuild Better.
MoveOn.org members organized hundreds of events nationwide at Congressional offices to thank Senators--and hold them accountable in the crucial days ahead as budgets are made.
The public's message was clear: that austerity does not make sense financially, or socially--
that austerity moves the country in the wrong direction.
Democratic Senators were urged to "Be Brave--Don't Cave" in the face of Republican opposition.
Many demonstrators expressed support for a "Robin Hood Tax" on financial transactions that would stem the tide of speculation and be a source of much-needed revenue for the economy.
"It's not a tax on the people--it's a tax for the people."
Several speakers made the case for ending the Bush-era tax cuts permanently, and to find ways to balance state budgets that do not involve reducing services for our most vulnerable citizens.
The need for more comprehensive and accessible healthcare was also a major theme, with chants of "Medicare for All" ringing up and down the block.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, multiple groups spoke to the need to not only rebuild--but to Rebuild Better.
MoveOn.org members organized hundreds of events nationwide at Congressional offices to thank Senators--and hold them accountable in the crucial days ahead as budgets are made.
The public's message was clear: that austerity does not make sense financially, or socially--
that austerity moves the country in the wrong direction.
Democratic Senators were urged to "Be Brave--Don't Cave" in the face of Republican opposition.
Many demonstrators expressed support for a "Robin Hood Tax" on financial transactions that would stem the tide of speculation and be a source of much-needed revenue for the economy.
"It's not a tax on the people--it's a tax for the people."
The New York State Nurses Association had a particularly notable turnout, and a representative spoke about their vital role in the crucial first days after Hurricane Sandy.
Speakers also emphasized ending U.S. wars as a way of improving the economy.
Many made the connection between expanding clean energy and ending costly wars, so that resources could be better channeled into fixing infrastructure, rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy, developing jobs, and delivering high-quality education and healthcare for all.
Many made the connection between expanding clean energy and ending costly wars, so that resources could be better channeled into fixing infrastructure, rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy, developing jobs, and delivering high-quality education and healthcare for all.
Representative from The United Front Against Austerity, a citizens action group: AgainstAusterity.org
Representative from Physicians for a National Health Program, which advocates for a single-payer healthcare system in the U.S.: www.pnhp.org
"This is for our future, but it's also for his future."
