Citizens’ Voice: Groups Rally to Protect Social Security Benefits

Fox43: Veterans Rally to Safeguard Social Security as Vital Support Threatened

August 19, 2025

PENNSYLVANIA – On Saturday, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social Security last week, Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth showed up to send a clear message to Congress: protect our checks. The Protect Our Checks event was part of a National Day of Action that included more than 50 events across the country.

For 90 years, Social Security has been a hard-earned lifeline for families across the nation and a promise for a safe stable retirement and a life with dignity. But now, that promise is under attack by Republican lawmakers more interested in enriching billionaires than protecting working families.

“I don’t look like someone who you would normally think of when you think of somebody who would benefit from Social Security, but that goes to show it is not just retirees. I was a child when I benefited from Social Security, said PA-08 constituent Shawn Reilly. “Thankfully, following its initial passage 90 years ago, Social Security has been expanded beyond just retirees, and because of this, when my father became disabled in the workplace, we were able to keep our house, afford groceries, and go to the doctor. We are asking our government to protect families today like mine and yours. Congress must protect financial security for working people, not billionaires.”

“It is critically important we stand up to this administration that is currently trying to destroy Social Security and diminish its benefits,” said Rick Coplen, U.S. Army Veteran and PA-10 constituent. “If Social Security is cut, reduced, or eliminated, veterans will suffer the consequences. Local veterans have shared their fears with me, including losing their homes and failing to provide for their families. Veterans and those signing up to serve today should be able to do so with confidence that our government will continue to live up to this promise that we will be taken care of when we return.”

The Trump administration and DOGE have forced Social Security Administration offices to make staffing cuts, freeze funding, and undermine vital services. Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent even admitted to the recently passed tax and spending bill serving as a “backdoor to privatizing Social Security.”

Congressmen Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Scott Perry (PA-10) have all vowed to protect Social Security. Yet, they have done nothing to protect their constituents from the actions of the Trump administration or to make billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share so the program can remain viable for future generations. Instead, they voted to slash critical benefits for working families to pay for bigger tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Affordable Pennsylvania calls on these congressmen to listen to their constituents and stand up for working families.

ICYMI: Times Leader: Social Security celebrated, defended during Public Square rally

• Social Security was the subject of praise and defense on Public Square on Saturday, as a rally was held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act’s 90th anniversary.

• However, Social Security faces a few major hurdles under the Trump presidency. According to Brendan Duke at the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities, the program’s insolvency has become accelerated due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s passage in July. The “go-broke” date of Social Security has been changed to 2034, as opposed to last year’s estimate of 2035.

• AFGE Council 220 President Jessica LaPointe kicked off the speaking portion of the rally with assurance that Social Security workers will continue to work hard in the face of any additional challenges.

Citizens’ Voice: Groups rally to protect Social Security benefits

• Dozens of community leaders, activists and elected officials took to Public Square on Saturday afternoon in a rally calling on Congress to act and protect Social Security benefits.

• Groups attending the rally, which coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Social Security program, included Action Together NEPA, Affordable Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Policy Center, Pennsylvanians Together, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and For Our Future Pennsylvania. Also in attendance were a number of area lawmakers, including state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre; state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore; and State Rep. James Haddock, D-116, Pittston Twp.

• “It’s the 90th anniversary of a program that works — that helps Americans,” Flynn said. “What does the president and Congress want to do? They want to defund it. They want to divert the money into private hands when the system has worked.”

WBRE/WYOU: Residents rally in Wilkes-Barre to protect social security benefits

• Dozens of community activists, union leaders, and lawmakers turned out on Saturday on Public Square for a rally called Protect Our Checks.

• “That’s what I’m living on, and a lot of people my age and older, and we can’t see that and actually it’s money that we paid in and so for them to jeopardize money that we put in in savings in our old age, one isn’t legal, and two, it isn’t ethical,” Action Together Protester Ed Zajac told 28/22 News.

FOX43: Veterans rally to safeguard Social Security as vital support threatened

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