RAISING CANES BACK STORY…

My name is Duski Wanamaker. I have been an Activist since I was standing on the streets of Isla Vista protesting the Vietnam War back in 1968. I’m also the proud organizer of the Raising Canes Movement—a fast growing, grassroots campaign committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from the disastrous cuts being threatened by the Trump administration and those aligned with its agenda.

On March 22, 2025, this idea got a name and became a movement. I was at the March for Our Constitution rally at the Wilshire Blvd Federal Building in Los Angeles. I had broken a toe on my left foot just 5 days earlier. I also have two bad knees – one desperately needed replacing. But I had committed to attending that rally with some other Northridge Indivisible Activist friends. I showed up. As did my cane.

After an hour of walking and chanting and waving signs and talking to people, I decided I should rest. I sat down on the curb on Federal Avenue just as Congresswoman Maxine Waters and actor Martin Sheen were getting ready to speak to the rally goers. As is sat down I began texting Vincent H with Empowerment Congress-a community organization based in South Los Angeles. The Empowerment Congress educates, engages and empowers all members of its diverse communities to ensure their collective voice is heard. I texted him a picture of myself and fellow activist Marta C and told him I was at the rally, two bad knees, a broken toe and my cane. Two minutes later he texted back saying “you gave me an idea about how to engage Seniors”. I said really? Great! Vincent texted back “How about Raising Canes visits to Congress members offices to rally against cuts to Social Security and Health Care?” And the Raising Canes Movement was born.

But let me be clear: Raising Canes is not just about showing up to protest or waving signs at rallies—though we do that, and we do it well. This movement is deeper than that. It’s about education, empowerment, and engagement.

We are here to educate seniors and communities—to break down what Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid really are, how they work, who they benefit, and why they matter. Because understanding these programs is the first step in defending them.

We're also a civic engagement force. We write letters, send emails, and show up—yes, in person—to our elected officials’ offices. We speak truth to power, face-to-face.

And we've expanded. The Raising Canes platform now includes:

· Housing advocacy for seniors

· Help with constituent services

· And practical outreach—we pass out flyers with vital info at hospitals, farmers markets, community centers, and just about anywhere people gather and receive very positive responses and feedback from the public.

To support this work, we’ve created toolkits for anyone who wants to get involved—whether it's making phone calls, sharing info, joining a rally, or just helping a neighbor understand their benefits.

And I'm especially excited to share that we now have three amazing young people, Hayley, Jayson and Joscelin, serving as Raising Canes' Gen X, Y, and Z Ambassadors. They're connecting with younger generations—because once you get your first paycheck and see that deduction, guess what? You’re in the system. You’re invested. You’re part of this fight too.

NO ONE CAN DO EVERYTHING. EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING. FIND YOUR SOMETHING.

We hold Raising Canes Events to demand that Congress do its job and protect our Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Democracy.

The Raising Canes Movement is in association with empowerment CONGRESS, Southern Christian Leadership Conference-SC, and South Los Angeles Clergy for Public Accountability.