With Over 50 Rallies in 17 States, Advocates Across the Country Will Come Together in a Massive Effort to Call on Congress to Defend and Expand Social Security
Washington, D.C. — As people from around the country recognize the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act today, this Saturday, August 16th, advocates are holding rallies across the country as part of Protect Our Checks’ national day of action. This day of action is being led by Unrig Our Economy and Social Security Works, in partnership with 20 national and local groups. These events will commemorate this milestone anniversary and urge Congress to defend this vital benefit from attacks by President Trump, DOGE, and congressional Republicans to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.
This day of action follows a week-long series of actions, including a kick off event in Baltimore, Maryland, with key speakers including Senator Chris Van Hollen, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and former Baltimore Mayor and Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. The campaign also held a town hall and press call featuring Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Ron Wyden, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Congressman John Larson, and former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, among others.
“This anniversary is not only a celebration of 90 years of a program that has lifted generations out of poverty, but also a call to action to make sure Social Security is fully funded, fully staffed, and ready to serve the American people for the next 90 years and beyond,” said former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “This national day of action to protect our checks should be a signal to every member of Congress that touching this program is an absolute third rail, and we won’t stand for it.”
“Social Security is among the most successful programs in our nation’s history, but it’s under constant attack from those who want to cut benefits and hand out more tax breaks to billionaires,” said Social Security Works President Nancy Altman. “People from all walks of life are standing up this Saturday to make our voices heard and to defend Social Security from the assaults by the Trump administration, DOGE, and anyone else attempting to undermine this vital lifeline that Americans have relied on for nearly a century.”
“As threats to Social Security grow more dangerous by the day, people across the country are speaking out and fighting back to Protect Our Checks,” said Unrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “While Republicans in Congress push policies that would gut the programs millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and families depend on to pay for their billionaire tax breaks, people across the country are coming together to draw a line in the sand and send a clear message: Hands off our Social Security. We earned it, we need it, and we will fight to protect it.”
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Social Security Works
Social Security Works is a non-profit fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Congressman John Larson (CT-01), former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, and Social Security advocates and beneficiaries joined Protect Our Checks’ town hall. Each speaker commemorated the milestone 90th anniversary of Social Security by highlighting its legacy and urging Congress to protect this vital source of income for millions now and into the future. The town hall follows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s admission that the Trump administration is looking for ‘back doors’ to privatize Social Security and the administration’s forced cuts to the Social Security Administration.
The call comes ahead of Protect Our Checks’ National Day of Action on Saturday, August 16, when over 50 events in 15 states will be held to stand up for this cornerstone of economic security and push back against congressional Republican attacks on Social Security.
“For nearly nine decades, through good times and bad, Social Security has paid out every benefit owed to every single American on time and without delay,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “Yet, despite its popularity and despite its success, Trump and Musk and others have been working overtime to try to dismantle Social Security and, importantly, undermine the confidence that the American people have in it…Our job must not be simply not to cut Social Security. We have got to expand Social Security, and extend its solvency.”
“Recently, a Treasury Secretary openly bragged about plans to use a back door to privatize Social Security and hand the benefits of working families over to those folks on Wall Street,” said Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “Trump’s so-called promise to protect Social Security, in my view, is about as real as his promise to protect Medicaid – no substance, big consequences for American seniors and families walking on an economic tightrope.”
“Republicans in Congress are pushing full steam ahead with an agenda that takes away benefits from millions and gives tax breaks to their billionaire donors,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06). “While they’re trying to play games with impact dates on some of this, I have hungry seniors right now…it is not a ‘line’ to say people are making a choice between medicine and eating. For 90 years since its founding, Social Security has not once failed to deliver checks to our seniors and beneficiaries, and we’ve got to do everything we can now to protect those checks.”
“We have to be committed and persistent, not just to protect Social Security, but it needs to be expanded. The last time it was expanded, Richard Nixon was President of the United States. That’s simply unacceptable,” said Congressman John Larson (CT-01). “Social Security is loved and approved by Republicans, unaffiliated, and Democrats all across the board. Let’s take this fight to Congress, but let’s make sure that the public knows how important this is. And with 10,000 baby boomers a day becoming eligible for Social Security, it’s time not only to speak up, but speak out and act.”
“Social Security has never been more needed by the people of the United States than it is right now, and Social Security has never needed the people of the United States to speak up and stand up for this program more than [it] does right now,” said former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We hear about field offices teetering on the brink of collapse because they just don’t have the staff to see people. There is a very, very real danger that for the very first time in 90 years, we’re going to see an interruption of benefits. So, as we celebrate these 90 years, let us also resolve that we will speak up, we will speak out, and we will defend this program.”
“…This is a situation where everybody will have a negative impact if we cut Social Security,” said NAACP Director of Opportunity, Race, & Justice Keisha Bross. “And this, more than ever, is the time that our organization, along with others, fights to protect – not only our citizens’ quality of life – but the ability to have human dignity. When we cut Social Security, this impacts food access, the opportunity for care, the ability to have housing, and will only continue to negatively impact working [people] and people in retirement. NAACP will be focused on advocating through Congress to fight to protect Social Security.”
“At 37, I became disabled. It was devastating, because I was a young mother to two sons [that] are on the autism spectrum…When my sons needed additional medical support, I was able to get care for them because of their Social Security benefits. Without those benefits, we would have been homeless on the street,” said Social Security recipient Judith Brown. “Social Security has always been there for us over all these years. Right now, this administration is bent on stripping us of our benefits that we paid into during our working years…We cannot allow this to happen. Social Security must be protected and expanded. Our entire existence is on the line, and we must fight to protect Social Security.”
“Social Security matters to Americans of every age and every corner of this country,” said Center for American Progress Action Fund Senior Fellow Molly Weston Williamson. “For all those who depend on Social Security – for seniors, for disabled people, for children and families – the Trump administration’s reckless actions have threatened those essential benefits over and over again…At the same time, President Trump and congressional Republicans’ signature legislative accomplishment includes giveaway after giveaway to the ultra-wealthy while threatening the future of Social Security [that] the rest of us count on. After 90 years, it’s time to defend and expand on the Social Security Americans have built lives and livelihoods on for generations.”
“Republican tariffs are driving up prices at the grocery store, their bills are raising the cost of health care and electricity, and they’ve even found time to hand out more tax breaks to billionaires, and now they want to mess with Social Security, and we are not going to let them take that away from us,” said Unrig Our Economy spokesperson Saryn Francis. “This weekend, with over 50 events across the country, Americans are rallying in a massive effort to support Social Security and calling on congressional Republicans to stop threatening what hardworking people have earned and need to survive.”
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Social Security Works
Social Security Works is a non-profit fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
The Event Commemorated the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act, Called for Action to Defend This Lifesaving Program
Washington, D.C. – This weekend, Unrig Our Economy and Social Security Works launched Protect Our Checks – a week of action to defend Social Security from attacks by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress. The kickoff event was held in honor of the upcoming 90th anniversary of Social Security in Baltimore, Maryland, where the first Social Security office was established.
Speakers included: Senator Chris Van Hollen, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, Professor and Real Housewives of Potomac star Dr. Wendy Osefo, Executive Vice President of AFGE Local 1923 Shelley Washington, Social Security Works President Nancy Altman, Unrig Our Economy spokesperson Saryn Francis, as well as advocates and Social Security recipients. Speakers spoke out against attempts by President Trump and Republicans in Congress to undermine Social Security, which is a lifeline for millions, all to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
“The promise of Social Security is only as good as your ability to access those benefits. If you cannot access them, it’s an empty promise,“ said Senator Chris Van Hollen. “We’ve all seen the photos where Elon Musk proudly had a chainsaw. He took that chainsaw to the Social Security Administration and began hacking away at the patriotic, dedicated employees who work there. The results were immediate. It was very hard for anybody to get through on the phone lines. The wait times were over five hours in some cases, if you could get through at all. The website became inaccessible. The regional Social Security offices all over the country had their staff cut so that when people went to ask about their benefits, they couldn’t find anyone to answer their questions.”
“Maryland is proud to be home to the Social Security Administration that employs 10,000 dedicated public servants across the state and over 55,000 employees nationwide,“ said Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. “For many, including some of the 1.2 million Marylanders who receive benefits, Social Security is not just a supplement; it is their main source of income. Without it, nearly 40 percent of older Marylanders would fall below the poverty line. Social Security is not a handout. It’s an earned benefit, and we must protect it—not only for today’s retirees, but for the generations to come.”
“There are hundreds of events happening all across the country to Protect Our Checks, to alert democracy so that we rise up and prevent Donald Trump and his ilk from robbing Social Security. Make no mistake – that’s what they want to do,“ said former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “They’ve already succeeded in robbing us of our peace of mind. But they need not rob us of our voice. They need not rob us of our ability to band together and push back.”
“We’re here doing the work. We’re not going to run, we’re standing here in solidarity,” said Executive Vice President of AFGE Local 1923 Shelley Washington. “[Social Security] is an earned benefit, so I’m standing here on behalf of all of the workers here, and letting you know that we’re working hard for you, and we’re going to continue to do so.”
“[Social Security is] the nation’s most important source of retirement income and life insurance, and it is often Americans’ only disability insurance,” said Social Security Works President Nancy Altman. “We’re here to celebrate the last 90 years and to dedicate ourselves to building on the structure that was put in place by Franklin Roosevelt 90 years ago.”
“No matter what Republicans in DC say, Social Security is not an entitlement. It’s a payback for decades of hard work,“ said Dr. Wendy Osefo. ”Many of our loved ones got up every morning, put in a full day’s work, paid their taxes – unlike a lot of billionaires these days – and they did so with the promise that they’d one day receive the benefits they spent a lifetime contributing to. And how have Republicans thanked them? By gutting Social Security’s staff, freezing its funding, and undermining the program’s future.”
“Republican tariffs are driving up prices at the grocery store. Their bills are raising the cost of health care and electricity. They even found time to hand out more tax breaks to billionaires. And now, they want to mess with Social Security,” said Unrig Our Economy spokesperson Saryn Francis. “With over 73 million people who rely on Social Security, it’s more important now than ever before to remember that everyone on Social Security is someone, and someone who somebody knows. Many of us here either rely on Social Security or love someone who does.”
“The Republican Tax Law destroys the promises and responsibilities that the government owes us. It slashes Supplemental Security Income for families with more than one disabled child. And it does all this while giving more tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest Americans,” said Syanne Centeno-Bloom, a Social Security recipient. “Let’s be clear: Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income are not handouts. I worked for years for my benefits, and when my illness spiraled out of control, it’s been there to help me find my footing again.”
“Over the years, I’ve endured six recessions. I lost my job not once, but twice – during the economic downturns of 2001 and 2009. Those setbacks wiped out my savings and shook my sense of security,” said Hal Pollard, a local resident. “Today, I’m counting on Social Security. I’m hoping to retire in seven years – and like millions of Americans across this country, I deserve to know that the promise of Social Security will be kept.”
This event kicked off the Protect Our Checks Week of action, which will also include a national press call on Wednesday, August 13th featuring Senators Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden, as well as other guest speakers, and culminate in a national day of action on August 16th with 50 grassroots rallies around the country sending a clear message: “We are ready to fight for Social Security, and we won’t back down.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen and former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malleyaddress the audience about the importance of protecting Social Security
Photo Credit: Unrig Our Economy
Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and Executive Vice President of AFGE Local 1923 Shelley Washington pose with a proclamation from Governor Wes Moore recognizing the 90th anniversary of Social Security and the workers who have been impacted by DOGE cuts.
Photo credit: Unrig Our Economy
For more information on the national press call or the week of action, please email press@unrigoureconomy.org.
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About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Social Security WorksSocial Security Works is a non-profit fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
Key Speakers Also Include Unrig Our Economy, Social Security Works, Social Security Advocates,
and Local Community Members
Washington, D.C. — TOMORROW, August 9th, Lt. Gov Aruna Miller, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Dr. Wendy Osefo from Real Housewives of Potomac, former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, Unrig Our Economy, and Social Security Works will host a community kick-off event for the launch of the Protect Our Checks campaign.
Speakers will commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social Security and protest recent attacks by President Trump, DOGE, and congressional Republicans on this vital source of income for millions of Americans – all to fund Republicans’ larger pro-billionaire agenda that gives tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
● Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland and Social Security Commissioner ● Dr. Wendy Osefo, Real Housewives of Potomac
● Representatives from Social Security Works and Unrig Our Economy ● Social Security beneficiaries and community activists
WHY: Social Security has provided financial security to generations of Americans for 90 years. Yet, this critical program is under renewed attack from President Trump and congressional Republicans who are pushing an extremist, pro-billionaire agenda. As we mark the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, advocates are mobilizing to demand that Congress protect and expand – not cut – our hard-earned benefits.
To learn more about the campaign, visit ProtectOurChecks.com
or contact press@unrigoureconomy.com
About Unrig Our Economy Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Social Security Works Social Security Works is a non-profit fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
The Press Call Marks the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act and Urges Congress To Protect Benefits for Future Generations, Ahead of Protect Our Checks’ August 16th National Day of Action
Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, August 13th, at 11:30 AM ET, Senators Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden, Congressman John Larson, and former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley will join Unrig Our Economy, Social Security Works, policy experts, and Social Security beneficiaries, on Protect Our Checks’ national virtual press call ahead of the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
Speakers will commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social Security, a vital source of income for 73 million Americans. They will also condemn recent attacks and continued threats to Social Security from President Trump, DOGE, and congressional Republicans, all to fund Republicans’ larger pro-billionaire agenda that gives tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
This press call comes just days before the Protect Our Checks national day of action on August 16th, where hundreds of families will rally across the country to fight to protect Social Security. Learn more about the day of action here.
WHAT: Virtual press call, celebrating the Social Security Act and denouncing attacks and ongoing threats to Social Security by Donald Trump, DOGE, and congressional Republicans
WHEN: Wednesday, August 13th at 11:30 AM ET
WHO:
Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Ron Wyden
Congressman John Larson
Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley
Social Security Works President Nancy Altman
Center for American Progress Action Fund Senior Fellow Molly Weston Williamson
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Social Security Works
Social Security Works is a non-profit fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
Groups Launch a Week of Action to Send A Clear Message to House Republicans and the Trump Administration: Hands Off Our Social Security and Protect Our Checks
Washington, D.C. — Today, Unrig Our Economy, Social Security Works, and former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, alongside local and national organizations, announced a new campaign, ProtectOur Checks, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social Security and protest recent attacks on this vital source of income for millions of Americans – all to fund Republicans’ larger pro-billionaire agenda that gives tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
House Republicans have been pushing an aggressive agenda to force Social Security Administration offices to make staffing cuts, freeze funding, undermine vital services, and give the ultra-wealthy yet another massive handout paid for by working families. Now, people all around the country are coming together to make their voices heard and tell Congress that it’s time to protect the benefits people worked hard to earn and need to survive.
August 13th: Unrig Our Economy, Social Security Works, and other guest speakers will host a national press call with advocacy groups and beneficiaries around the country on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act’s signing into law.
August 16th: Communities nationwide will rally to send a clear message: We are ready to fight for Social Security, and we won’t back down.
“Social Security is on a cliff – if we don’t act now – it could fall after 90 years of keeping its promise to America’s workers and retirees. Now, with a Republican majority in all three branches of government, that promise faces the greatest threat in its history,” says former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We are closer than ever to the unthinkable: Millions across the country are missing the checks they’ve earned and rely on.We must stand together to protect Social Security – not only for today’s seniors, but for every generation that follows.”
“As threats to Social Security grow more dangerous by the day, Unrig Our Economy and Social Security Works are mobilizing a nationwide movement to Protect Our Checks,” saysUnrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “While Republicans in Congress push reckless proposals that would gut the programs millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and working families depend on, people across the country are coming together to draw a line in the sand and send a clear message to their elected officials: Hands off our Social Security. We earned it, we need it, and we will fight to protect it.”
“Time and time again, Republicans have tried to cut Social Security. They’ve always failed because Social Security is incredibly popular and effective. So now they are using a sneaky backdoor method — destroying Social Security’s customer service, so that more and more Americans can’t access their hard-earned benefits. Our Social Security is at risk,” saysAlex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works. “On Social Security’s 90th anniversary, Americans are coming together to protect our checks and demand an end to the Republican war on Social Security.”
To learn more about the campaign, visit ProtectOurChecks.com or contact press@unrigoureconomy.com
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About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Social Security WorksSocial Security Works is a non-profit fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
