A year ago last January, hundreds of New Yorkers -- all bundled up in hats and gloves -- walked from various city locations to a rally at Columbus Circle.
We came from all parts of the city and all walks of life.
We came because we wanted change.
And we are are still fighting for change. New York grassroots groups, professional organizations, coalitions and unions are taking it to the streets again -- this time for health care reform.
We are turning out on Saturday -- rain or shine -- to show our support for health care reform and for those in our delegation who are committed to fighting for it. We will be walking from locations in all five boroughs and about a dozen spots in Manhattan to a rally in Times Square.
From the press release:
New Yorkers representing the best of the grassroots progressive movement, people of faith, physicians, labor unions, and coalitions like Health Care for America Now and Organizing for America will come together on Saturday, August 29, for a day of action to fight for health insurance reform.
Beginning with "community walks" in all five boroughs, New Yorkers of all backgrounds will come together in support of ongoing efforts to achieve quality, affordable health care for all, at a 2:00 PM rally in Times Square. Here, at the crossroads of the world, the participants will send a clear message both to their elected officials and to their fellow citizens across the country:
"Health reform must go forward this year, and we cannot allow the same special interests who would like to shut down the process either for material or political gain to succeed in distracting us from our goal. Their scare tactics may have worked in the past, but they won’t work now. Because it’s our health care, and it’s our time."
If you are in New York, Come to Times Square on Saturday at 2:00!
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Not in New York? Well, chances are there is a rally or other event near you.
With only nine days left in the Congressional district work period, we all need to stand up and be counted in favor of real health care reform!
Every day until September 4, when our Congresspeople wrap up their work in the district and head back to DC, a group of activisty Kossacks are counting down to the deadline and telling you how to go out there and get involved!
If you do ONLY ONE THING for health care reform this summer, you need to attend a rally.
There are town halls, rallies, OFA events and more.
Join one of the 1000 or so events being planned for these last days of recess. See the lists below or search on the OFA site for events in your area. Or go to HCAN and find rallies and other events it is sponsoring.
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LET'S GET IT DONE! BUS TOUR
Organizing for America is hitting the Road for Healthcare with a national bus tour. Here are the next stops:
Albequerque, NM:
Thursday, August 27
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St. SW
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Denver, Colorado
Friday, August 28 from
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tivoli Commons, Auraria Campus (Denver, CO)
900 Auraria Parkway
Denver, CO 80205
The bus will continue on to Des Moines, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Charlotte and Raleigh. We'll post info on these stops as it becomes available.
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R A L L Y T I M E !
Big rallies are a great way to let our fellow Americans know that the majority of us support health care reform.
Sacramento, CA
Health Care Rally
Wednesday, August 26th
6:30 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Park
Portland, OR
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Saturday, August 29
11:00 a.m.
Terry Schrunk Plaza
Nashville, TN
Rally For Health Care Reform Now!
Saturday, August 29th
10:00 a.m.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Orlando, FL
Health Care For America Now
Saturday, August 29th
1:00 p.m.
Orlando Downtown Rec Center
New York, NY
United We Stand Rally For Health Insurance Reform
Saturday, August 29th
2:00 p.m.
42nd and 7th
Join a walk to the rally! We're leaving from locations in all five boroughs.
Hartford, CT
Get Back to Work Rally & March for Health Care Reform
Wednesday, Sept. 2
4:30 p.m.
March from the Office of Rep. Larson to Sen. Dodd
San Francisco, CA
Congressional Send Off Rally San Francisco
Wednesday, September 2nd
5:00 p.m.
San Francisco City Hall
Denver, CO
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Wednesday, September 2nd
6:30 p.m.
Confluence Park
Minneapolis, MN
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Wednesday, Sept. 2
7:00 p.m.
Plymouth Creek Center
St. Louis, MO
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Wednesday, Sept. 2
12:00 p.m.
Rep. Clay's Office
Houston, TX
Let's Get It Done: Health Insurance Reform Now Rally!
Thursday, September 3rd
6:30 p.m.
Houston City Hall Reflecting Pool
Atlanta, GA
Georgia Rally For The Public Option
Thursday, September 3rd
12:00 p.m.
Georgia State Capitol
Raleigh, NC
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Thursday, September 3
6:00 p.m.
State House Steps
Trenton, NJ
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Thursday, September 3
11:00 a.m.
New Jersey State House
Las Vegas, NV
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Thursday, September 3
11:00 a.m.
McCarren International Airport
Seattle, WA
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Thursday, September 3
6:00 p.m.
Westlake Shopping Center
Los Angeles, CA
Let's Get It Done Healthcare Rally
Friday, September 4th
12:00 p.m.
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration Building
Little Rock, AR
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Monday, September 7th
11:00 a.m.
Governor's Mansion
Also check HCAN's site, where you can enter your zip code and find events in your area.
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TOWN HALLS
Use the terrific FDL tracker to find town halls near you. We've made great strides in the past couple of weeks, turning out enough Democrats to keep town halls from turning into right-wing mob screaming matches.
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If you want to get involved, join us in our Netroots for Heatlthcare campaign (N4HC). We will continue to provide information about legislation and comprehensive lists of actions you can take to make a difference.
For more info about the Netroots for Healthcare campaign or if you're interested in writing a Rally Report, follow us on Twitter: @Netroots4HC or email Netroots4Healthcare(at)gmail.com.
(Have an event for the Rally Report? Email us (with the link, please) at RallyReport(at)gmail.com. You can also send us links to photos or video or your local blog reports about events for us to highlight.)