I went with my buddy to the Save Healthcare Michigan Rally this morning at Macomb Community College in Warren, MI. As one of the 30 million-plus Americans who will be directly impacted by the repeal of the ACA, we wanted to add our voices to the mix. I also attended out of a sense of shame that my state is now red, albeit only because of voter suppression and shenanigans.
Turnout was amazing. Originally it was slated to be indoors, but the RSVP list grew so long that they moved it out into the parking lot. Luckily, the weather cooperated and it was sunny and pleasant, almost spring-like (for Michigan, anyway.)
The line stretched all the way across campus and, as we stood, went down the block and doubled back again. I had a big bag of safety pins in my pocket and handed them out as we moved to the back of the line. We chatted with folks, all of whom had a story to tell. People were angry. Scared, too. Worried. But mostly angry. But the anger wasn’t wild or unfocused. It was a deep, philosophical anger, a feeling that there’s something very wrong with the country. Doing this, being in this place, feeding off each others’ energy, was the way to deal with it, to give it focus, to bounce ideas off of each other and remind ourselves that, although the election results sucked, there were still so many good people in the world.
I had steeled myself for any counter-protests but not a single Trumpite was in sight. All was peaceful and the line moved smoothly. I have no idea what the attendance was, but it was many thousands.
We got speeches from Congresspersons (Dan Kildee, MI-5, John Conyers, MI-13, Debbie Dingell, MI-12, Brenda Lawrence, MI-14, Sander Levin, MI-9.) Debbie Dingell wins the award for most fiery, pissed-off speech by a member of Congress. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, spoke to us. Three families with stories about how the ACA saved their life or made their business possible took the stage. Local union reps had their turn. Our two Michigan Senators, Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, fired up the crowd. An angry and hoarse Chuck Schumer brought us to a fever pitch, and then Bernie took the stage and brought the house down.
For what it’s worth, the senators and congresspeople there were very clear and on the record that they plan to fight this, hard.
I look forward to reading other accounts of other rallies across the country.
Apologies for the lack of sharpness in some of the photos. I was battling thermal currents (coming off the people in front of me in the cold air) as well as a wonky old telephoto lens.