Boston, MA – Leading disability, senior, immigration, reproductive rights and health advocates today held a 100 Days of Harm event outside the John F. Kennedy Federal Building to protest President Trump’s inhumane actions and highlight how the Commonwealth must stand together to protect our state, our economy and our people.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Health Care For All (HCFA), Reproductive Equity Now (REN), Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC), and Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) led today’s event.
The five statewide organizations presented an alarming list laying out 100 harms proposed by the Trump administration in its first 100 days in office, including dismantling vital health care programs, spreading terror throughout immigrant communities, targeting reproductive rights, and gutting the Social Security Administration.
“In his first 100 days, President Trump has made clear his fear-first agenda when it comes to immigrants,” said Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition. “Massachusetts must join in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who power our economy, fill our schools and enrich our culture.”
“Only 100 days into his administration, President Trump has continued to prove his lack of empathy and concern towards the health and wellness of all people,” Amy Rosenthal, Executive Director of Health Care For All explained. “Massachusetts must continue to be a leader in health care coverage and fight against any federal policies that attack the affordable, accessible and equitable care every individual deserves.”
“In just 100 days, hundreds of thousands of lives have been threatened by the recklessness of the Trump Administration,” said Claire Teylouni, Executive Director of Reproductive Equity Now. “Proposed cuts to Title X, the removal of public information on abortion access, and the appointment of unqualified figureheads to run federal health care agencies have devastated our already fragile sexual and reproductive health care ecosystem. Trump 2.0 has re-emphasized tenfold the importance of state-based leadership on health equity and reproductive care access.”
“I will turn 80 this July, and while I have seen tremendous change throughout my lifetime, I never imagined I would see the wave of destruction that has defined President Trump’s first 100 days,” said Rosa Bentley, statewide President of Massachusetts Senior Action Council. “President Trump is trying to tear this country apart, without regard for the harm he is causing. We are here to show that he can’t tear us down, because we will stand together and fight back.”
“I have spent much of my life as a disability advocate, working to advance and strengthen the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. Today, however, disability advocates find ourselves fighting not for progress, but for our very existence.” said Dennis Heaphy, Researcher and Advocate at the Disability Policy Consortium.
Advocates stressed how the Trump administration’s harms go beyond the fields they represent: The harms impact all of Massachusetts. Eliminating health care research funding or employment opportunities for immigrants means a weaker regional economy and fewer opportunities for growth for all residents. Meanwhile, making it harder for seniors to secure support from the Social Security Administration means that children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors must do more to support elderly community members. Advocates urged federal, state, and local officials to join with residents from across the Bay State to push back against the Trump administration’s 100 harms.
The Trump administration’s 100 harms in 100 days can be found here.
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