We had a fine health care rally in Boston today, sponsored by Health Care for America NOW!, starting at the gazebo on the Common followed by a parade to Copley Square. The weather was perfect, the people were fired up, the pols were out in force, the Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band provided the entertainment, and a splendid time was had by all.
A really big shout-out to the SEIU locals 1199 and 615 (and I think I saw others, too). They provided the parade marshalls, a lot of signs, several speakers, translations into Spanish for many of the speakers, and in general put a tremendous amount of time and effort into this. They deserve a big thanks.
UPDATE 20090907 1930 EDT: added a "how could I have missed this" photo
More, including photographs, below the fold.
I took the Green Line to Park St. The SEIU had people stationed there directing people to the exact location (there had been some confusion about whether it would be on the Common or behind the Park Plaza). I did run into a few LaRouche people there, but that's the only time all day I saw that crowd, and they weren't holding signs. No sign of any teabaggers around. I think they know not to mess around with the Cradle of Liberty.
The rally itself started about 30 minutes late, apparently because there were a number of people coming in on buses that hadn't arrived yet. The organizers wanted to make sure that everyone had an opportunity to participate. With the perfect late summer weather, nobody minded; the band was playing some great jazz, setting an upbeat mood. While I was waiting, I signed Martha Coakley's nomination petition. Coakley is the Attorney General of Massachusetts and had done a fine job in that role, and I believe she would make a fine senator for the Commonwealth.
There were quite a few speakers, including several people from the SEIU, a physician at one of the local hospitals whose name I didn't catch (there were problems with the sound system, and I wasn't near the gazebo at the time), Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston, Coakley, and several representatives from Massachusetts. I didn't note any of the specifics in the speeches; I was concentrating on shooting photos (I took about 450 frames). As I noted above, a number of the speeches were translated into Spanish (and I think one was given in Spanish and translated into English, although I'm not positive). Menino is not a particularly inspiring speaker, but he's been elected to four terms (to date) as mayor (although I saw quite a few Sam Yoon signs). Coakley sparked a good amount of enthusiasm when she supported at least a public option. Michael Capuano was very dynamic and created the most excitement of the day; Stephen Lynch (who supports reform but not a public option) got a much less enthusiastic response. Ed Markey and John Tierney also spoke; they both favor a public option.
After the rally, most of the crowd marched -- paraded would be a better description -- along Boylston St. to Copley Square. The brass band made for a good time, and I think the crowd grew somewhat along the way (how can you not dance along with "When the Saints Go Marching In"?).
Some pictures from the rally. I will be adding a lot more to my photo album on SmugMug
UPDATE 20090907 1930 EDT: How could I have possibly missed THIS photo in my first pass???