Many protesters at the "No Kings" rally on June 14 were older Americans concerned about cuts to Medicare, Social Security and other programs they depend on.
Amid the "No Kings" signs at the June 14 protests across the country were many seniors marching and holding signs about Social Security and Medicare. Bill Hall was one of them.
"I worry they are going to reduce or destroy it," Hall said about Social Security. He lives in senior housing in Anchorage. "Everyone there is worried because everyone depends on Social Security."
Others held up signs defending Medicaid, a program that supports adults with low incomes, older adults, people with disabilities, parents-to-be and children. Medicaid waivers, for example, allow states to be more flexible in how they allow health care professionals to provide care in a person's home or community instead of a long-term care facility.
One of the speakers at the rally in Anchorage was a caregiver named Kim Anderson. She said about her clients' lives - and her own job-are on the line:
"If they cut Medicaid, it's like killing two birds with one stone," she said. "I lose my job, and my clients lose their care. This isn't just about policy-it's about real people who won't survive these cuts."
An estimated 5,000 people attended the protest in Anchorage and 2,000 in Fairbanks. Other communities with protests were Juneau, Homer and Sitka.
