With only twelve 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, HCAN rallies, OFA events and more. Click below to find out how you can show up in favor of real reform in your area!
Yesterday, super-organizer femlaw detailed all the reasons why this can't wait. We won't get another chance to bring real reform for nearly two decades! Most of us can't afford to be uninsured or under-insured for that long. So get out there, tell your story, and help bring the change we need to the health care system in America.
1. Congressional Town Halls
These events have received the most media attention, primarily since they serve as a lightning-rod for opponents of health care reform. We outnumber the crazy shriekers, but we need to show up so the media sees it. Bonus points if your Congressperson refers to a crazy lady in the audience as a dining room table or other durable good.
Find a Town Hall near you, stand up and be counted, and make it clear that there are more of us who desperately need reform than want it to fail. FireDogLake has a fantastic Town Hall Tracker keeping abreast of events. Click Here to find a Town Hall near you!
2. HCAN Rallies
Whether your Congressperson is a wingnut or a member of the Progressive Caucus, these big rallies give us a chance to show the huge numbers of Americans in support of real health care reform. Held over the next two weeks in cities across the country, these events are a really important way to show our support.
For those of you who want to take the fight for health care to the streets, this is your chance!
Rallies Near You:
Sacramento, CA
Health Care Rally
Wednesday, August 26th
6:30 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Park
Nashville, TN
Rally For Health Care Reform Now!
Saturday, August 29th
10:00 a.m.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
(Thanks benintn!)
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
Hartford, CT
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Wednesday, September 2nd
4:30 p.m.
CIGNA Headquarters (<--- Yes, you can rally at the private insurance company that may have denied your very own claim!)</p>
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
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
Little Rock, AR
Health Care Can't Wait Rally
Monday, September 7th
11:00 a.m.
Governor's Mansion
If we didn't list your area rally, post it in the comments and I'll add it to the list.
3. Organizing For America Events
Folks in your community are getting involved and hosting events to help advocate for real health care reform.
In Easton, PA, Anne and Larry are hosting the Easton Community Organizers for a Meeting and Potluck to help President Obama move his agenda forward.
In Raleigh, NC, Mike is hosting a Rally-Planning Meeting at Player's Retreat Restaurant. The rally will be held in front of Senator Kay Hagen's office on September 5.
In beautiful Belmar, NJ volunteers are collecting pledge cards up and down the boardwalk, signing up folks who support real health care reform. Get some sun and join Monmouth for Change for this great event!
There's plenty more going on, so head on over to my.barackobama.com and find an event near you!
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Look What Happens When We Show Up!
Here's a video from Henry Waxman's Town Hall this past weekend. Supporters of health care reform outnumbered opponents by 20-to-1. Great to hear those chants of "Fired Up, Ready To Go!" Now get out there and join them.
"What do we want?" "Health care!" "When do we want it?" "Now!"
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Got an event we haven't listed? Have photos to share from your local town hall? Send 'em to RallyReport(at)gmail.com and we'll include them in a future diary.