Families express anger at plan to cut funds for Hurricane Maria victims

<p>Families voiced their concerns to Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim over President Donald Trump's plan to cut emergency funds for Puerto Rican families who fled after Hurricane Maria&rsquo;s devastation.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2018, 8:16 PM

Updated 2,249 days ago

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Families voiced their concerns to Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim over President Donald Trump's plan to cut emergency funds for Puerto Rican families who fled after Hurricane Maria's devastation.
The Trump administration is expected to not renew aid on March 20. Around 300 families affected by Hurricane Maria have been seeking refuge in Bridgeport.
Lourdes Bermudez, a Bridgeport grandmother caring for her two displaced granddaughters, tells News 12 the federal funds are assisting local families seeking shelter from the disastrous conditions since September. She says not renewing the funding reflects a shocking lack of concern for these proud American families.
"If I could get this message to the president it would be that he needs to raise his own consciousness and the consciousness of others. And that when you lose your home you lose everything," Bermudez said.
Mayor Ganim tells News 12 he is pushing for $2.5 million in state funding to offset the federal cuts, which is being considered by Connecticut lawmakers.
"Of course I feel upset about it. But I want to channel that strong feelings towards actions in solidarity with those in Bridgeport and across Connecticut to raise our voices to tell people ‘no, you can't cut this funding, we need this funding,’" he said.
Ganim attended a rally in Hartford Wednesday with Puerto Rican families from across the state to protest the cuts.


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