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, Protect Our 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. 

Protect Our Checks’ August actions include: 

  • August 9th: A kick-off community event in Baltimore, Maryland, celebrating the Social Security Act in the city of the first Social Security headquarters.
  • 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,” says Unrig 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,” says Alex 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 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.