Veterans, Military Families March In New Jersey Against Federal Budget Cuts

THE ORANGES, NJ — Dozens of veterans, military families and New Jersey residents recently held a protest against the federal budget cuts happening under the Trump administration.

On Friday, protesters gathered at Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange. The demonstrators – some carrying walkers – then marched along South Center Street in Orange, proceeding to the East Orange Veterans Administration Hospital on Tremont Avenue.

The protesters carried signs that read “No Cuts To Veteran Services” and “Hands Off Veterans Benefits.” According to organizers, they were met with “enthusiastic and non-stop honking,” in addition to a wave of thumbs-up signs from passing cars and trucks.

The local march was held in solidarity of a national “call to action” that took place in Washington D.C. and other cities. Demonstrators called for the protection of veterans’ benefits and jobs, which they say are being harmed by the ongoing budget cuts taking place under President Donald Trump.

The call to action took place on the anniversary of the pivotal World War II battle known as “D-Day.”

Jan Barry, a Teaneck resident and co-founder of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, explained why he decided to hit the streets last week:

“Due to Agent Orange poisoning, I’m a disabled Vietnam vet. Thanks to the PACT Act and other actions by the Biden Administration, I’ve been able to get assistance with major health issues at the East Orange VA Medical Center and other sites, including the Hackensack VA Clinic. I’m very concerned that the proposed 15 percent cut in VA staffing will affect my ability to continue getting good medical care from the VA. Vets come to the East Orange VA Medical Center from all over New Jersey, many in wheelchairs or using walkers like this one that I was provided by the VA. Earlier this year, VA employees got emails at home on the weekend pressuring them to resign and take a very modest buyout. These emails from Elon Musk’s DOGE gang were sent to people providing direct services to vets. Besides buyouts, the initial round of cutting VA staff ousted people who answer the phones at VA call in centers. Thanks to unrelenting activism on this issue by veterans’ groups and supporters, I’m getting VA assistance that was hard to get until recently. Now the Trump Administration is threatening to run amuck through the VA, as it has run amuck through USAID and other agencies in order to cut taxes for billionaires.”

South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, whose brother is a disabled veteran, also attended last week’s rally, leading a chant of “Hands Off VA!”

“I am standing here in solidarity today with hundreds of thousands of veterans across the United States of America, demanding better for our veterans,” Collum said.

Last week’s march was sponsored by the Bloomfield Sustainability Network.

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