Why do rallies make a difference? Because they enable us to bear witness, to gain strength, and to find each other. They’re not enough, but they do help. So, even though I’m not really an extrovert, I came home this afternoon excited and inspired by my presence at the “Our First Stand” rally held in Warren, Michigan, today. (See my rally announcement yesterday and a rally report from today by Hatrax for details.) I ran into several Kossacks, several other friends, and with luck I will have met some new friends, too.
On our way OUT of the rally area today, I overheard these young people (in the story photo with me) mention the name of someone I knew. That was my opening: I asked where they were from and what brought them there. And voilà, we made a good connection! This was the first time that any of the three of them had attended a political rally, but they are ready to get involved, starting right now. We live in adjacent counties, though theirs is much redder than mine. I hope to hear from them soon; together, we can work together to make their county more purple at least for 2018. We are implementing an 83-county strategy in Michigan starting TODAY.
Join me after the fold for some photos!
I traveled to Warren from Ypsilanti with several other area activists. We were all psyched to go. Part of the fun from excursions like this is the discussion in the car. Sorry, no photos or audio of that, but here’s our group. I left it uncropped to show something of the lines of people behind us.
On our way to the rally location — just a big open area, because our original venue was too small — I ran into someone familiar: Brainwrap! In my opinion, the next time something like this happens in our area, Brainwrap needs to be on the stage.
Some of the rest of the photos are here courtesy of some other Washtenaw activists, one I know personally and one I do not. Thank you both! Most of the photos need no additional comment.
Here are more rally attendees, including several faces that are likely familiar to you already.
In a personal communication after the event, 2thanks told me that he spoke with a cameraperson with many years on the job from one of the local TV news stations, who said he had never seen a crowd of this size (approximately 6,000 people) for a rally that was not devoted to a Presidential candidate. So what do we call this? A good start.
The speeches were short and to the point. A number of media representatives videotaped the event, and as soon as I see one available to upload a link, I will edit this post to add it.
I did not have a great vantage point for crowd shots, but this one can give you a sense of the size of the group. People were waving their signs enthusiastically in response to the remarks by Bernie Sanders, who said — among other things — “In the richest country in the world, we need to get our priorities straight…. Our job today is to save the ACA. Our job tomorrow is to obtain universal health care…. Real change always takes place from the bottom up. Health care will [through our efforts] be a right for all people, not a privilege.”
Back to the people at the rally! The woman in the photo below is a brilliant and dedicated lifelong political activist with a national and international reputation, known and respected by thousands of people around the world. She also has a job with the kind of contact with the public for her to attest, through first hand experience, just how devastating these cuts can be. Thanks to her position, she also has heard people make it clear that they believe Obamacare is different from the ACA.
Here is another indefatigable activist with considerable political power to wield: my Congresswoman, Debbie Dingell.
One of Debbie Dingell’s most admirable qualities as a representative is that she takes her responsibility to her constituents very seriously. She is always out and about in the community, and people approach her all the time to tell her their stories. Today, during her speech, she mentioned that her husband, John Dingell (follow him on Twitter, @JohnDingell, if you don’t already), has been ill with pneumonia for over a week. He is recovering, thanks to his strong constitution and the good medical care he can receive. But Debbie then said that a woman in Starbucks recently came up to her to thank her for fighting for the ACA. The woman told Debbie about her husband, pre-ACA, having been terribly, frighteningly ill, with a fever of 103. They hesitated to go to the ER because he did not have insurance. By the time they did go, it was too late. They couldn’t save him, and he died. At the rally, Debbie spoke strongly, as she always does. Her goal for us: “If you live in America, you have a right to affordable health care.”
Now why would anyone object to that? Since I don’t understand, that must be why I am not a Republican!
We have a lot of work to do. Call your representatives and senators, in both parties. Thank the Democrats and assure them of your support if they continue to fight for our health care. Tell the Republicans they had better not mess with the ACA unless and until they want to improve it, legitimately. Write letters and emails. Use social media. Attend Town Halls, visit your representatives’ offices, insist on being heard by your representatives. (h/t to smileycreek for the reminder) Find allies, here and elsewhere.
Time to take on our most important civic role: that of citizen!