📌 Senior Citizens in Resistance
Our country’s elders are turning out in whatever way they can to stand up and speak out.
Welcome to How to Resist, an instruction manual for resistance based on nonviolence, mutual aid, and community building for ordinary people who want to save democracy.
Today, we are celebrating the strength and determination of the senior citizens among us who are standing up and speaking out! Here are just a few examples of the actions that seniors have organized and participated in over the past several weeks.
Saint Paul, Minnesota: Seniors protest cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran Services
““I am out here for the people that I love who are dependent on Social Security as their only source of income in their retirement,” said Nettie Monroe, 68, of Shoreview, a retired special education teacher who collects both a pension and Social Security, but has family members who only have government help in retirement.”1
Baltimore, Maryland: Senior living facility residents have been protesting Trump administration policies for over 12 weeks
"I've marched for every human right that you can imagine, I was a hippie all the way," said protester Carri Mogavero. "To see this, I'm reliving my [19]60s again. I am a senior, I just turned 75. I'm just very proud of our people. I am very scared for the country and what's happening."2 [Video]
Redding, Pennsylvania: Seniors hold May Day rally
Carol Morgan, 81, of Redding, said she wasn’t a "protester kind of person," until she saw "the state of the world, the economy, programs [such as Meals on Wheels, Social Security, children's programs such as Head Start, and Medicaid] being cut ill advisedly in terms of foreign policy."3
Des Moines, Iowa: ‘Seniors for the Constitution’ hold third rally
“The sun came out as the crowd grew. Those with wheelchairs, walkers and canes chatted with young people, whose futures they were there to protect,” said Victoria Andrews, a community member and supporter. “It was an encouraging event.”4
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: Seniors express disdain at Trump
“I don’t know that it’ll help, but it makes us feel like we’re doing something,” said Linda Clark, 84, with a sign that read “grandmas for Democracy.”5
San Diego, California: 105-year-old marches for democracy
105-year-old Alice Yee addressed the crowd before the residents of La Jolla’s Casa de Mañana Retirement Community began their march. “People who are old like me, need to be out here. We know what it’s like without a democracy,” Yee said.
“What we need to do as young people and old people, if we are not vigilant, we lose the very thing that we’ve been fighting for. I’ve been fighting for women’s rights for 50 years (and) we’re doing it all over again, we’re losing it all, we shouldn’t have to do that, but we are.”6
Berkeley, California: Seniors protest cuts to Social Security
Protesting “is what we gray hairs do,” said Kate Anderson, 78. “This is very serious. I’ve paid [my social security taxes] since I was 16.”7
Evanston, Illinois: “Hands Off Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid”
Harverford, Pennsylvania: “80-somethings and 90-somethings take to the road to protest Trump”
Judy Bardes, who’s 93, “almost 94, said, “Our democracy is at stake, and whatever it takes to bring it back to a democracy rather than a dictatorship, I’m willing to work to participate.”
Irondequoit, New York: Accessible protest helps seniors make their voices heard
“To accommodate attendees’ transportation and mobility issues, the rally was organized by a minister at Irondequoit United Church of Christ. […] “I think it’s important to note that older people would like a voice too. That’s why this is so special to me to give these people a chance to get out here and make a difference.” Cindy Ames, an organizer of the event, said.”8 [Video]
Atlanta, Georgia: “Wheelchairs, walkers won’t stop these seniors from taking stand against Trump”
Oakland, California: ‘We’ve lived through everything’
“[…] When you’re pissed off, this is what you’re going to see. We want to show that we seniors, who’ve lived through everything in this country, are not gonna go silently.” - Donald Goldmacher, resident of the Oakland Senior Living Community
St. Louis, Missouri: “Social Security is not a giveaway. We earned it. We paid into it.”
About a dozen people protested outside of the Social Security Administration building in downtown St. Louis. As an 87-year-old Gregory talked of how he relies on Social Security.“That’s how I pay my bills. That is how I buy my food. That’s how I get to the doctors and clinics when I’m in need.”9 [Video]
Seattle, Washington: ‘Old Tyme Adults for Democracy’
“It’s scary,” said protest organizer Roxie. Roxie organized some of her Brookdale Admiral Heights neighbors for a protest on multiple corners about half a block south of their building.”10
Tallahassee, Florida: Seniors protest outside Congressman Neal Dunn’s office
“Over 70 senior citizens and other residents gathered outside Tallahassee’s City Hall Thursday to protest changes to Social Security alongside feared cuts.”11 [Video]
Lynn, Massachusetts: Rally for Social Security access
“I will be 80 years old in July,” said Rosa Bentley, president of the council’s Lynn chapter. “Never in my life did I think I would have to stand up and convince those in charge that cutting Social Security is a terrible idea. But here I am.”12
Are you a protesting senior?
We salute you and would love to support and amplify your efforts! Share your story with us in the comments and let us know how we can help you and your communities!
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I've been on Substack for only a month or so, and I'm so glad to have discovered you. I'm going to reference you in my Thursday column because you have made me feel so much better about times when I need breaks. I and my friend Alicia (we're both in our 70s) have become demonstration buddies--several of my Substack columns are about this. It helps to have a buddy for these things. Keep up the great work.
I'm a senior in St. Paul, MN. I have attended several rallies at the Capitol and intend to keep doing so. At today's rally I met someone who lives very close to me and I hope we can buddy up for future protests.