FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Where: Sturgis Vets Club, 868 Main St, Sturgis, SD 57785
When: March 19, 2025, at 2:30 PM
Who: Hosted by Indivisible Rapid City, open to all veterans, families, and supporters
Veterans and Advocates to Rally in Sturgis Against Trump Administration’s Attacks on Veteran Benefits
Sturgis, South Dakota – March 18, 2025 – Indivisible Rapid City, a grassroots advocacy group based in Rapid City, South Dakota, will host a veterans’ rights rally at the Sturgis Vets Club on March 19 at 2:30 PM. The event aims to support veterans, demand respect for their service, and protest the Trump administration’s harmful policies that threaten their benefits, healthcare, and job security.
The Trump administration’s budget cuts and policy changes have placed veterans at risk by slashing VA funding, cutting disability benefits, and eliminating thousands of federal jobs, many of which are held by former service members.
Why This Protest is Necessary
✔ VA Funding Cuts Threaten Healthcare for Millions of Veterans
The Trump administration’s proposed budget includes reductions to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, limiting access to essential healthcare services. Instead of strengthening the VA, the administration is pushing privatization efforts, which could force veterans to seek more expensive private care instead of receiving the services they deserve. (AP News)
✔ Federal Job Cuts Disproportionately Impact Veterans
The administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by Elon Musk, has announced plans to cut 80,000 federal jobs—a move that disproportionately affects veterans, who make up a significant portion of the federal workforce. In South Dakota, these cuts have led to the cancellation of contracts and grants vital to local businesses and tribal communities, threatening economic stability and essential services. (South Dakota News Watch)
✔ Trump’s History of Disrespect Toward Veterans
The Trump administration has a documented history of disrespecting veterans—from attempting to cut VA funding in past budgets to reportedly calling fallen service members “suckers and losers.” (New York Magazine) His administration’s continued actions undermine the dignity and well-being of those who served our country.
✔ DOGE and Musk’s Unchecked Influence on Policy
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is using artificial intelligence and automation to determine federal job cuts, raising concerns over transparency and legality. Lawmakers are questioning whether DOGE is operating outside the bounds of U.S. law, with some calling for immediate investigations. (Business Insider)
Call to Action: Support Our Veterans
Indivisible Rapid City urges veterans, their families, and concerned citizens to join the rally at Sturgis Vets Club on March 19 at 2:30 PM to protest these harmful policies. This event is an opportunity for the community to stand up for those who have served and demand that lawmakers prioritize veterans over budget cuts and privatization schemes.
We call on Representative Dusty Johnson and other elected officials to reject these cuts and fight for veterans’ rights.
About Indivisible Rapid City
Indivisible Rapid City is a grassroots advocacy organization based in Rapid City, South Dakota, dedicated to protecting veterans’ rights, defending democracy, and holding elected officials accountable. We advocate for policies that support veterans, working families, and vulnerable communities.
For more information, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.indivisiblerapidcity.org
Note to Editors
For additional context and verification, please refer to the following sources cited in this press release:
AP News – Reductions in force: A look at which agencies are affected by DOGE-led job cuts
South Dakota News Watch – Federal cuts roundup: The impact on South Dakota
New York Magazine – Trump to ‘Take Good Care’ of Veterans by Firing 80,000 VA Employees
These sources provide further background on the veterans’ rights issues, policy changes, and the impact of the Trump administration’s decisions affecting the veteran community. Editors and journalists are encouraged to reference them for further reporting.
Reductions in force: A look at which agencies are affected by DOGE-led job cuts
Federal cuts roundup: The impact on South Dakota
Trump to ‘Take Good Care’ of Veterans by Firing 80,000 VA Employees
https://www.businessinsider.com/doge-department-of-government-efficiency
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