Clergy Rally in Greenville: Moral Protest Against Harmful Budget Cuts

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - On July 14, 2025, a forthright gathering of faith leaders united at U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s office in Greenville. The event, part of Bishop William Barber’s Moral Monday Movement, served as a protest against a contentious reconciliation bill currently making waves in Washington. With caskets in tow, attendees aimed to illustrate the detrimental impacts the proposed budget cuts would have on vulnerable communities across the South. Greenville Online reports that about 35 participants carried signs, chanting against a legislative proposal that redirects funding from essential social programs to military and border security initiatives.

The assembled clergy had serious concerns over the possible fallout of this bill. Rev. Alexis Carter Thomas led the demonstration, which emphasized the cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The movement’s urgency mirrors the economic realities in Southern states, where poverty rates soar and such funding radically shapes lives. Notably, the recent federal budget, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, slashed over $1 trillion from the Medicaid program. This legislation was backed by all South Carolina Congress members except Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Protests Across the South

The Moral Monday protests extended beyond South Carolina, echoing in states like North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. As communities band together, voices like those of Dan Weathers, who shared his personal experience of overcoming homelessness due to financial aid, remind us of the support systems that are now under threat. Dan’s story underscores the critical role of social programs, especially as the Congressional Budget Office predicts nearly 12 million people could lose health insurance due to impending Medicaid reductions.

As the rally unfolded, Rev. Amiri Hooker expressed a sentiment felt by many: their demands are rooted in moral imperatives, urging lawmakers to heed the needs of their constituents. “We will continue organizing until our voices are heard,” Hooker declared, emphasizing a collective determination to maintain an Upstate network that transcends traditional divides based on partisanship, race, religion, and socioeconomic status.

The Broader Impact of Budget Cuts

The implications of the reconciliation bill are alarming for millions. The overwhelming funding cuts, detailed by Mother Jones, threaten to dismantle crucial support for those most in need. The legislation proposes nearly a trillion-dollar cut from federal Medicaid funding over the next decade, which many advocacy groups warn could lead to tens of thousands of preventable deaths annually, intensifying the plight of the one in three disabled Americans who rely on Medicaid.

Moreover, the legislation’s reach extends to SNAP, proposing $230 billion in cuts over the same period. Many individuals who rely on these benefits are living with disabilities; alarmingly, four out of five households receiving SNAP include someone with a disability. The environment is further complicated by new work requirements that may force many off Medicaid entirely, as highlighted by Maria Town, CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, who asserted that these cuts jeopardize healthcare access for millions.

As advocacy groups rally against these impending changes, a sense of urgency fills the air. Nicole Jorwic from Caring Across Generations articulated a shared disbelief at the passage of these measures, noting that it is unfathomable for Congress to fund tax cuts for the wealthy while making profound cuts to essential services.
In the words of Elena Hung from Little Lobbyists, the vote was a “punch in the gut” and a glaring moral failure by lawmakers.

As the Moral Monday Movement gains traction, communities across the South are reminded of the pressing need to advocate for those who will be hurt by these policies. There is indeed something to be said for standing together when the stakes are this high. Will lawmakers respond to the urgent pleas of their constituents, or will the echoes of the voiceless go unheard?