Media Release
For Immediate Release: September 12, 2012
Martinsville, VA: Virginia Organizing led a public protest in Martinsville, Va. at the Virginia Workforce Center today in opposition to votes made by U.S. Representatives to give tax breaks to millionaires while increasing the tax burden on middle class families. Reps. Robert Hurt and Morgan Griffith both voted in favor of the average $160,000 tax break, effectively issuing checks to millionaires while ending the tax credit that makes college more affordable for middle and working class families.
Betty Chew of Martinsville participated in the protest because she believes that the wealthy should have to pay their fair share. Chew said, “Many leaders speak of the love they have for our country. Loving the country is not seeing how tall the trees grow or how green the grass is — it's caring about our fellow Americans and sharing the tax load.”
Virginia Organizing handed out flyers at the protest with checks written to “Millionaires” for $160,000 issued by Reps. Hurt and Griffith. The protest was part of a National Day of Action by groups across the U.S. and nationally sponsored by Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund, Health Care for America Now, the Alliance of Retired Americans and Working America.
H.R. 8, the bill to extend tax cuts for one year, including those only available to the richest 2 percent, would give people who make more than $1 million a year an average tax cut of $160,000, while 25 million working Americans would face higher taxes, according to the National Economic Council.
The Pew Research Center released a national poll last month showing that 58 percent of respondents believe the rich (defined by the median as those earning $150,000 or more) are under-taxed; only 8 percent say they pay too much. Ending tax cuts for the richest 2 percent would raise $850 billion in revenues over 10 years, according to the National Economic Council.
To schedule an interview with a participant, or for photos of the event, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org
Virginia Organizing is a statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.
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