Health Reform Rally in Medford

RepublicansAreRedDemocratsAreBlueMeAreGreen, 04.09.2009 18:40

Over 200 activists march to Senator Wyden’s Office in Medford.

Gathering at Vogel Park

In front of Wyden's office

A young activist has her first encounter with the media

Medford, OR September 3, 2009: Dozens of health reform activists met at noon in Vogel Park to demonstrate against Senator Wyden’s continued refusal to support meaningful healthcare reform. My guess is that this crowd was at least as large as some of the larger anti-war rallies way back when we used to still protest illegal wars…but that’s a different topic! According to the folks at Oregon Action, there were 270 people in attendance.

The reaction from the passing motorists was a bit more subdued than during the anti-war rallies when many drivers would flip us off and scream that we were traitors. This time, most passersby ignored the rally all together. Most of the ones who reacted honked and waved in support. I only saw one man giving the ‘thumbs down’ sign.

We assembled in the park for about ½ hour. Then a woman with a bull-horn stood up to remind the crowd that this was a *peaceful* protest and to please act accordingly. We were also asked to please obey the traffic lights and not impede traffic in any way. It took about 4 changes of the lights before all were able to cross the street.

As we were walking down Main street, two men passed by in the other direction. One shouted that he didn’t want to pay for our health care. A woman from the crowd turned and asked him if he were willing to give up his Medicare. This person and the one in the care giving the thumbs down sign were the only negative reactions that I personally witnessed. I didn’t see anyone flashing the finger at us.

We arrived at Wyden’s office and assembled out front. Reporters from channels 5, 10 and 12 were there as well as a Medford Tribune reporter. Most of the shades in the building were drawn, making it impossible to see whether or not anyone was watching from behind. However there was one window with no blinds and a man could be seen standing and watching us the entire time. Another man in a suite with an earphone stood outside watching us as well. The police presence was pretty subdued. As the rally dissipated, an officer was directing traffic and asking people to please not stand in the street, but he was the only one that I noticed. They were not (openly at least) photographing the crowd in an intimidating manner as they did in many of the anti-war rallies.

A wheel barrow containing petitions and stuffed animals was to be presented to a represent of Wyden and I assume this happened although I didn’t personally witness it. Oregon Action reported that there were 15,000 signatures. As we were standing outside, I called Senator Merkley’s Medford office number. No human answered the phone, but I left a message that I was in the process of protesting against Wyden for his impediment to meaningful healthcare reform and stated that I wanted to thank Senator Merkley for not making me take time out of my day to protest him, and that I appreciated his being part of the solution and not part of the problem. I had previously called Wyden’s office and told the person who answered that if Wyden didn’t stop being a tool for the health insurance parasites who are preying on the sick and dying that I would not only refuse to vote for him, but I would send money to his opponent in the primaries and volunteer my time and do everything in my power to see that he was defeated in the next election. I stated that his continued opposition to meaningful reform was threatening the lives and livelihood of my family and this was not acceptable to me.

In case you haven’t read Wyden’s plan, you can find it here:  http://wyden.senate.gov/issues/Health_Care.cfm. His plan would mandate that everyone be forced to buy private health insurance and would not include a public option. You would have to prove that you had insurance when interacting with a government agency such as renewing a driver’s license. If you happen to be the CEO of a health insurance company, making millions of dollars a year preying on the sick and dying – you don’t need to bother reading it. I promise you will like it.

There will be a follow up action next Wednesday and Thursday – September 9th and 10th. Concerned citizens and other humans are asked to call Wyden’s office and ask him to support meaningful healthcare reform and to support a public option. If the cat doesn’t get your tongue after that little exercise it would be cool if you could also call Merkley’s office as well – but if you can only make one phone call – call Wyden. It is Wyden who is the problem on this issue not Merkley.

The contact info is:

Wyden –
Medford Number: (541) 858-5122
Washington D.C. Number: (202) 224-5244
Fax: (202) 228-2717
Email:  http://wyden.senate.gov and click on the ‘Contact’ link at the bottom.

Merkley –
Medford Number: (541) 608-9102
Washington D.C. Number: (202) 224-3753
Fax: (202) 228-3997
Email:  http://merkley.senate.gov – click on the ‘Contact’ link at the bottom.

If you call all four numbers plus fax and send emails – then you deserve a lollypop.

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Good report 05.09.2009 - 14:50 Thank you for being there and giving the rest of us a report back on the rally sun> Homepage:: http:// HELLO,Health Care Reporter 06.09.2009 - 20:30 If only we had reporters like in you in D.C.! What a better world it would be! Single Payer Mama> Homepage:: http://