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JUFJ joined with Save Our Safety Net and the Fair Budget Coalition to rally at the John A. Wilson Building, calling upon City Council to prevent budget cuts to safety net programs.

Councilmembers Jim Graham (D-Ward One), Michael Brown (I-At Large), Tommy Wells (D-Ward Six), and Harry "Tommy" Thomas (D-Ward Five) -- donned red capes reading "S.O.S." while declaring their support for progressive taxation.

Councilmember Graham spoke first and set the tone: "It's very simple: we have a tough budget situation, we need more revenue, people who are most vulnerable are suffering more and more and more -- and doesn't it make sense to turn to those with the greatest abilities?"

Graham himself helped Councilmember Thomas (D-Ward Five) don an SOS cape. Thomas told the crowd, "my whole career has been dedicated to supporting the safety net."

Councilmember Michael Brown declared that "this Mayor has a tendency to try to balance the budget on the backs of poor folks. And for the residents that are going through the toughest of times, that's when we need to bolster those safety net programs, not cut them away."

Councilmember Wells continued the criticism of the Mayor's budget, declaring that it asks for no sacrifices to be made by high-income DC residents.

Councilmember Kwame Brown (D-At Large) also addressed the crowd, but told us he had not made up his mind about higher income taxes on wealthy DC residents. He did not receive a cape.

After the rally, participants visited Councilmembers' offices to educate staff about issues of concern, including health and nutrition, affordable housing, income supports and workforce development, and opportunities to generate revenue through targeted tax increases.

You can do your part!  Take action with the Fair Budget Coalition here!