On Wednesday afternoon, the sidewalk in front of the Durham VA Medical Center swelled with more than a hundred demonstrators rallying against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. Armed with posters condemning the “D.O.G.E — Department of Greed and Evil” and demanding “Hands off the VA,” the crowd called to protect U.S. veterans and “dump Trump.”
Organized by the North Carolina American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and National Nurses United (NNU), the rally brought together VA staff, veterans, and Durham community members.
“I almost want to cry when I see how many of you are out here to support us,” said Ann Marie Patterson-Powell, a registered nurse at the Durham VA and an officer with the NNU, who warned of the devastating impact the cuts would have on patient care.“The VA cannot and will not survive such drastic cuts. We’re already understaffed.”
Every year, the Durham VA treats about 70,000 veterans from across central and eastern North Carolina. Since the Trump administration took over, about 20 probationary employees have been laid off from the Durham VA, according to Patterson-Powell and registered nurse Jemma Superville. Nurses have reported being forced to deduct time from patient care to perform tasks usually done by dietary or janitorial staff, Patterson-Powell and Superville said.
“Who’s gonna provide care if I’m running around delivering meal trays?” said Patterson-Powell. “VA nurses are specialists — we know what our veterans need. The private sector cannot care for them, and if there are more layoffs, we are going to lose a lot of them.”
In a March 4 memo, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs proposed to reduce VA employment to 2019 levels by laying off over 80,000 employees.
Irma Westmoreland, NNU’s chair of veterans affairs, denounced the proposal as an “insidious attack on federal workers,” arguing that the ranks of veterans have grown since 2019.
“The president parades veterans around like props. But when it comes to helping us, he does nothing,” said Chris Buttitta, a Marine Corps veteran who was invited to speak at the rally. “When we join the military, the government promises that they will take care of us. I feel betrayed.”
Marcia Engel retired from the Durham VA in 2022 after working as a nurse at the facility for eight years. As a retired VA nurse, a veteran, a recipient of VA healthcare, and a mother of an active duty service member, Engel is deeply disturbed by the proposed cuts. She expressed pride in how VA healthcare has “progressively improved its service to veterans” over time.
“What can be done to reverse these previously unthinkable executive orders?” she asked the crowd. “Well, we must work together, united in collective action against the executive orders that threaten the traditional VA healthcare system.”
With that, the rally seemed to transcend its initial purpose, evolving into a space for broader dissent and community. As the speeches came to a close, protesters continued chanting not only in support of the VA, but also for the U.S. Department of Education and for democracy — as passing vehicles honked in agreement.
“I’m here because I’ve been going to everything,” said Chris Chato, a Durham resident wearing a T-shirt with the words, “if you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
“I got this shirt in 2016. I didn’t think I’d still need it.”
Above: The rally filled the sidewalks near the Durham VA Hospital on Wednesday. Photo by Abigail Bromberger — The 9th Street Journal
