CCH joined the Jane Addams Senior Caucus on Monday in a peaceful but spirited protest against cutbacks to Social Security and other vital safety-net programs for retirees. The mid-day rally brought hundreds of chanting marchers to the corner of Clark and Jackson, where a circle of defiant seniors, some in wheelchairs, blocked traffic by sitting arm-in-arm in the middle of the intersection.
More than 40 protestors were arrested, including CCH’s Ed Shurna and Eithne McMenamin.
Anger and frustration were clearly present on the faces of the long line of marchers. But so was determination. The message was loud and clear: cutbacks to programs for our neediest citizens are contemptible at a time when corporations are making record profits.
As stated by Mary Burns, leader of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus, “Many older women, especially older women of color, would suffer the brunt of these cuts… Senator Durbin and Senator Kirk need to hear that seniors are the members of the 99% and have something to say about this issue.”
Senator Durbin, along with Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Mike Quigley, made appearances at the rally and promised their support.
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– Paul Buccheit