Press Release - Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Bush Social Security Plan Hurts Minorities
Civil Rights Coalition Launches Fight To Protect Social Security
For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Westbrook Simpson, 202.466.2061, simpson@civilrights.org
April 22, 2005
Washington, DC - Because it protects the welfare and retirement security of 47 million retirees, people with disabilities, widows and children (a large proportion of whom are minorities), Social Security is one of the nation's most important civil rights programs, says Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. LCCR is the nation's oldest, largest and most diverse civil and human rights coalition.
On Monday, April 25th at 9:00 am, LCCR will launch a campaign to protect Social Security from privatization and potential benefit cuts. Henderson will brief reporters on why shoring up Social Security is a civil rights issue and the role LCCR will play over the next few months.
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights will be joined by the NAACP, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Partnership for Women & Families and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL).
In addition to eviscerating Social Security, the president's privatization plan would lead to deep cuts in survivor and disability programs, which many minorities, women and Americans with disabilities count on to make ends meet. Without Social Security the poverty rate for minority and women seniors would more than double.
WHO:
- Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
- Hilary Shelton, Washington Director of the NAACP
- Brandon Neal, Director of the NAACP College & Youth Division
- Brent Wilkes, Executive Director of LULAC
- John Lancaster, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living
- Debra L. Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families
WHAT: Press Conference to Announce LCCR's Campaign to Preserve Social Security
WHEN: Monday, April 25th at 9 AM
WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 106, 1st Street & Constitution Avenue
