54 Arrested in Seven Single-Payer Actions

The Mobilization for Health Care had a very strong showing in nine cities around the country yesterday. At least 54 people were arrested in the nine cities.

In New York City, the brave protesters were supported by a crowd of 50 legal protesters. We were prepared to start the action with 10 people risking arrest, and 4 more people joined us to stand up to the corporations that steal our money, our health, and our lives.

Our next task on October 28th is to grow the Mobilization. We want to see the number of cities with mobilizations to be at least 15 and well over 100 people risking arrest.

The task now is to spread the word. Let friends, families and others know about the Mobilization and urge them to sign up at www.MobilizeForHealthCare.org.

It is our job to create a political environment that makes single-payer the inevitable solution to America’s healthcare crisis. It is obvious that what is happening in Congress will not provide healthcare for all — tens of millions will be without insurance ten years from now under the best estimates — and will not control the cost of healthcare — as the insurance industry if projecting a 111% increase in cost over the next decade of their already overpriced products.

Here’s news coverage from yesterday’s actions (we’ll add more as they come in):
National
Dozens Arrested at Sit-In Protests at Health Insurance Companies – Democracy Now

Funding and Middle-Class Relief Are Keys to Health Bills – Wall Street Journal

United Health Group Protest: 14 Arrested During Sit-In Protest Against Insurance Giant (VIDEO) – Huffington Post

14 charged in NYC protest at health insurer office – Santa Cruz Sentinel

Arrests Made at NYC Insurance Protest – AP Video

Boston, MA
Protest leads to arrest of 11 – Daily News Tribune

11 charged with trespassing at health care protest in Newton – Boston Globe

Los Angeles
En la lucha por reforma de salud – LA Opinion

KPFK – 6 PM Evening News

Palm Beach, FL
Sit-in protest at Humana’s office – Palm Beach Post

Protesters take the heathcare debate to the front door of Humana – CBS 12

6 Protesters Arrested In Health Care Rally – ABC 25

Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Progressive Democrats Plan “Die-In” at United Health Care, Civil Disobedience Anticipated (w/Update) – Phoenix New Times

Portland, OR
Protesters Arrested At Health Care Reform Sit-In – Fox 12

Healthcare Sit-In – KOIN 6

Police Arrest Twelve for Trespassing at Regence – KBOO Radio

Police Arrest Twelve at Regence – The Lund Report

Health care protesters arrested at downtown Portland building – KGW 8

Washington, DC
Group Pickets Health Care Provider in 9-city Protest – News Channel 8

Thanks again for your participation.

Posted in Healthcare-NOW Updates and tagged , , ,

8 Comments

  1. Lin Riley on October 16, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    i emailed cnn and asked why no coverage. this happened once before when we marched to prevent the war in Iraq.



  2. Peter Lorenzen on October 16, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Attended peaceful action here in Tucson w/about 40 others. Some great props brought to Phoenix by one Nurse-Activist from Bisbee AZ.



  3. Cliff on October 16, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    This clearly has to only be the beginning. What we are essentially calling for is the redistribution of insurance company profits back into the health care system. It is not a small goal, especially in a world owned by private profit and enterprise.

    This is a great leap forward in a very large campaign.



  4. Emagin Peace on October 17, 2009 at 10:57 am

    This is like asking the criminals that just broke into your house to please get a band aid and antiseptic and fix your cut.
    Single payer wonderful idea but consider who we are asking!
    First things first. We need to clean up the corp takeover first!



  5. terry on October 19, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    Isn’t it always funny how the left in this country are the only ones who have to risk getting arrested? Where were all the fights at 9/12? Bunch of bullshit if you ask me. End corporate fascism now! Stop the baucus bill! Ralph Nader 2012!



  6. Brigitte on October 28, 2009 at 10:08 am

    I wish there would be a solution. People need health care and not to be used as a warning.



  7. curtis morrison on October 29, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Here’s the coverage so far of the Louisville, KY Humana sit-in:
    http://www.wfpl.org/2009/10/29/demonstrators-sit-in-at-humana/