Syracuse community members joined together on Wednesday, July 20, to welcome President and Mrs. Roosevelt. The honored guests shared their thoughts on the crucial importance of defending Social Security and Medicare. They were joined by community speakers who related personal stories about the importance of these programs and who called community members to action — not just to defend these essential programs but to work for their expansion. As Andy Mager of the Syracuse Peace Council pointed out, it was only because of pressure from ordinary citizens that FDR was forced to dramatically expand his New Deal programs.
A celebration of Medicare’s birthday will continue pushing this message on July 30, at 5pm, at the Syracuse Federal Building.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt urging Syracuse residents to defend Social Security and Medicare.
Syracuse community member Tina Fitzgerald, a member of Disabled in Action, joins President and Mrs. Roosevelt. In the foreground are Mark Spadafore of SEIU 1199 (left) and Andy Mager of the Syracuse Peace Council (right).
The lead organizer of FDR’s visit, part of a statewide caravan, was Citizen Action. The event received local press coverage in the Syracuse Post-Standard.
Solidarity Committee of Central New York 