Four members of ACT UP Philadelphia were arrested outside of Gov. Corbett’s mansion last week while protesting the elimination of funds that had been used to support the state’s most low-income populations.
The Aug. 29 action was in response to Corbett’s plan to do away with General Assistance — a cash-assistance program for the disabled, ailing unemployed adults, domestic-violence victims and those in drug and alcohol rehab — that went into effect at the beginning of the month.
More than 60,000 Pennsylvanians are expected to be impacted by the cuts. The program provided up to $200 a month in assistance.
The cuts are meant to save the state about $150 million annually.
The program had been overseen by the Department of Public Welfare, which on its website advised former GA recipients to meet with their caseworkers to evaluate possible alternative funding resources.
About 300 ACT UP members and allies rallied outside Corbett’s Harrisburg residence after the governor’s staff refused to meet with the advocates in Philadelphia earlier this month.
ACT UP member Jose DeMarco, who was among those arrested, said that in the past, former Gov. Rendell exempted those with chronic illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, from the GA cuts. So far, Corbett has not expressed the intent to do so.
“Gov. Rendell realized what a hardship this would be on people with chronic illnesses,” DeMarco said. “So if this governor does not recognize that, we’re hoping to create enough pressure that it will help him to not be elected again so we can get the next governor to actually reevaluate this whole situation.”
To demonstrate the potential impact of the cuts, ACT UP staged a mock funeral at the governor’s residence, carrying cardboard coffins through the streets of Harrisburg.
Capitol Police moved in when a handful of protesters laid in the street outside Corbett’s mansion and refused to move.
DeMarco said he and the other three protesters arrested remained in holding cells for over two hours.
He said the group is still pressing for a meeting with the governor and plans to continue to push for alternatives to ending the program.
“We’re going to keep the pressure on Gov. Corbett,” DeMarco said. “We’re going to follow up with more tactics and keep holding his feet to the fire.”