This afternoon, there will be protests against proposed Republican cuts to federal programs in 277 communities across America. As much as the GOP insists that Americans hate their democratically-established government, these protest show otherwise, indicating that government services are highly valued by large numbers of Americans.

People taking part in today’s protests are not demanding additional government spending, and they’re not opposed to all budget cuts. What they’re asking for is that cuts not be made to economically essential programs that are enabling working families to scrape by in these economically difficult times. What they’re asking is that Congress follow the approach represented by the Emergency Deficit Reduction Act, so that federal budget cuts are balanced by increased contributions by the most wealthy Americans and by industries that now often pay no taxes at all.

Protest organizers explain:

“Republicans in Congress are holding the middle class hostage—proposing a federal budget that would would cut 700,000 to 1 million jobs from our communities and slash funding to support preschool and college students, pregnant women, unemployed workers, and much more. This isn’t a budget, it’s a slap in the face to the public workers, services, and institutions making the American Dream possible”

You can use an activism search engine to find out where a protest is taking place near you today.