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June 25, 2009

Mass Turnout at Health Care Reform Rally Tops 10,000. Delivers Message of Health Care Now, for All Americans

Over 10,000 union members, community activists, health care professionals, small business owners, and Congressional leaders rallied at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, June 25, 2009. The resounding message of the rally was that comprehensive health care reform cannot wait any longer. The rally kicked off at 11:30 a.m. in Upper Senate Park, marking the beginning of the largest health care rally in our nation’s history.

The national labor movement was vital to generating such an enormous turnout, sponsoring over 120 buses and transporting 4,000 union members from across the country to the rally. Furthermore, in New Jersey alone, over 26 buses made their way to the Capitol, accounting for a total of over 1,300 union attendees. Such an achievement is only attributable to the tireless efforts of our affiliates in the New Jersey labor movement. We sincerely thank all those that helped facilitate such a great New Jersey turnout.

As the rally got underway, workers and health care professionals addressed the crowd and shared their stories illustrating the need for health care reform. The words of these brave spokespeople were powerful and compelling and revealed the heartbreak and pain associated with a broken health care system.

Following the main rally, a joint rally organized by New Jersey, New York, and Maryland was held featuring Senators Robert Menendez, Frank Lautenberg, Charles Schumer, and Barbara Mikulski, plus Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Charles Rangel. The three-state rally gave a chance for union members to hear from key Congressional leaders that are playing major roles in the health care debate. Additionally, the opportunity was taken to congratulate these members of Congress on their leadership and to urge them to continue fighting for strong legislation that will bring down costs and provide quality care to all.

We once again thank all of our Central Labor Councils and affiliates that turned out in large numbers and helped coordinate this highly successful event. We have a tremendous opportunity to enact health care reform, and on June 25, 2009 we proved that the New Jersey labor movement allied with Health Care for America Now (HCAN) have the capacity and drive to get the job done.

CLICK HERE to see pictures from the health care rally.

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