Protesters rally against cuts in Republican tax plan

About two dozen sign-wielding protesters picketed in front of the Department of Human Services’ Main Street offices in Little Rock on Tuesday against congressional Republicans’ tax plan.

The demonstration included a skit depicting a “fat cat” and protesters chanted against cutting taxes for wealthy Americans. They specifically named Arkansas’ Walton and Stephens families.

A bill expected to be taken up by the Senate after the Thanksgiving holiday would cut taxes for wealthy Americans in the long run, while raising taxes on the poorest Americans, according to a report released Monday by the Tax Policy Center.

Several signs urged passers-by to contact Arkansas’ U.S. senators, John Boozman and Tom Cotton, both Republicans.

Neal Sealy with Arkansas Community Organizations, the group that put together the event, said the protest was held at Human Services Department offices as “symbolism” because of the services for the poor offered by the office, such as Medicaid.

The protesters chanted against cutting Medicaid spending, as well as food stamps, as a way of paying for the tax cuts proposed by Congress.

Sealy, who said he receives his health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, said he’s been contacting Arkansas’ congressional representatives since the spring to oppose the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act and approval of tax cuts.