A group of activists from the Philadelphia Protestant Home recently got together for an event titled “Standing Up for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.”
While most of the 40-plus participants are PPH residents, the Protestant Home did not sponsor the rally.
Residents, many using walkers, marched out of the PPH main entrance and joined supporters on the 700 block of Levick St. to hold handmade signs in support of the federally funded social programs.
The activists banged a drum and held signs that read, “Save Social Security. Fire Trump,” “Golden Girls. We Vote,” “Hands Off Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid” and even, “Free Garcia,” in reference to illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to his native El Salvador.
Organizer Marge Sexton used a megaphone to chant, “Tell me what democracy looks like,” with the response, “This is what democracy looks like.” Sexton also led the crowd in singing This Land is Your Land.”
The crowd also sang We Shall Overcome and chanted, “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Elon Musk has got to go.”
Heather Miller, Democratic leader of the 35th Ward, was among those on hand for the hour-long rally.
Some residents of Martins Mill Road applauded the activists, while many drivers honked their horns in support, though one man rolled down his window and shouted,” Go home, disgusting Democrats. Trump won.”
So, are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits in jeopardy? No, according to the White House, adding that Elon Musk is targeting waste and fraud in entitlement spending. ••
