Back Off Our Benefits – Day of Action
With another government shutdown deadline looming, Courage for America held the “Back Off Our Benefits Day of Action,” hosting two food drives in Scottsdale, AZ and Omaha, NE and adding support to a rally in Long Island, NY.
Leading up to the Back Off Our Benefits Day of Action, Courage for America worked with online creators and influencers to build awareness to MAGA House members’ extreme demands to cut food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC.
@fontvne They’re trying to cut food programs but we’re pushing back. 🏁 #courageforamerica ♬ original sound – Richiefontane
Courage for America worked with Syanne, a creator who also serves on our People’s Council, to produce and launch an awareness advertisement campaign.
On Thursday November 17th, Courage for America joined partners, community activists, local creators, and concerned citizens to demand Representatives Schweikert, Bacon, and D’Esposito stop supporting unpopular and extreme cuts to food assistance programs their constituents rely on.
Scottsdale, AZ
For the “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive,” held at Hula’s Modern Tiki, Courage for America partnered with Honest Arizona and the Arizona Students’ Association to gather non-perishable food items for donation to the Vista del Camino Food Bank.
Attendees learned more about the cuts to supplemental food programs on the line for those in their community should the extreme MAGA-proposed budget pass. Folks wrote letters to Congressman Schweikert, urging him to stop supporting the extreme budget cuts and to stop risking a government shutdown with devastating impacts on many. In all, over 100 food items were collected for donation.
Omaha, NE
Meanwhile, at Bärchen Beer Garden, attendees engaged in conversation about Congressman Bacon’s support for the extreme budget cuts, particularly those to supplemental food programs.
Discussion reaffirmed the fact that cuts to essential services are extreme and Representative Bacon’s support for a budget that pushes an extremist agenda directly contradicts the desires of his constituents. The event brought in 200 non-perishable food and personal care items for donation to Black Men United.
In Long Island, Courage for America joined forces with Make the Road Action, Empire State Voices, and other local groups and residents to rally, calling for Representatives D’Esposito and Santos to stop voting to cut benefits that constituents rely on to survive, like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. An additional call was made for the expulsion of Santos, who has since been expelled from his position.
We were excited to partner with communities across the country and demand that Congress Back Off Our Benefits! You can watch a recap of the day of action below.
@courageforamericaWhen we found out one of Speaker Johnson’s top priorities was cutting food assistance programs, we knew we had to act. Courage for America is here to make sure our leaders choose people over extremism.♬ original sound – Courage for America