Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva and Keith Ellison joined hundreds of activists today at the Jobs, Not Cuts Rally on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The rally was held at the conclusion of the Take Back the American Dream conference where progressives from across the country gathered to discuss pressing national issues, including the national jobs crisis. The conference was hosted by Campaign for America’s Future. Video of their remarks is available here.
“We are experiencing a progressive revival,” said Rep. Ellison. “The American people are seeing millionaires and corporations sitting on record profits while the American Dream slips further out of their reach. America is no longer sitting quietly waiting for something to happen, they’re taking action now.”
Hundreds of participants showed their support for a job creation agenda, particularly emergency jobs legislation, to put America back to work. Demonstrators called for an end to Republican job cuts, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security cuts, as well as for wealthy Americans to pay their fair share of taxes.
“This movement is not about division. This is about a fair and just future for our country,” said Rep. Grijalva. “It’s about protecting this American dream of ours and restoring democracy back to the United States. I’m proud to be with the people, and I feel privileged that we have an opportunity here in Congress to lend a voice to the urgency they’re bringing across the country. With our energy and our organizing, we’re going to turn the political culture of this nation back over to the people. The days of a wealthy few individuals and corporations calling the shots have to come to an end, and this is how it starts.”
