It's day two of Melanie's March, the 8 days, 135 mile trip insurance company survivors are making from Philadelphia to DC in honor of Melanie Shouse, a health care activist and Obama volunteer who died because she didn't have affordable insurance. Here's why Melanie fought:
They're marching to send a simple message to Congress: Listen to the people, not the insurance companies. It's time to get health reform done and get it done right.
Hit the jump for tons of pictures and the rest of the story of the march.
Yesterday, the marchers crossed the state line from Pennsylvania to Delaware:
We finally made it out of Pennsylvania and into Delaware. It was about a half hour behind our target time. There were difficult obstacles that slowed us down such as unshoveled sidewalks. With three feet of snow blocking our path we weaved in and out of snow banks and crisscrossed roads. The troops pulled together- gave it all they had-to get to our next destination only a few minutes late. Everyone was really proud.
They met with local activists for lunch, and then headed to Wilmington, DE to the Bethel AME Church, where they were greeted with a rally, prayers, and a warm welcome from Reverend Silvester Beaman and the congregation.
They spent the night in the church. Last night, Antoinette Kraus brought us this update from the road:
The actual walking part has been more difficult than expected. We hadn’t accounted for the simple obstacle of snow – four feet of snow iced over covered a good portion of the sidewalks we had been relying on for safe passage. Weaving in and out of snow banks, crisscrossing streets -were able to pull it together to finish the miles of the day. And, amazingly, we’ve been able to keep on pace for the most part in order to make it to our events.
Despite the obstacles and sore legs, spirits are high! Today, a man threw up his window and cheered us on. A Pastor, welcomed us into his church with a rally and a home cooked meal. A clapping group of locals met us at Mr. Pasta for a meet up where they shared their stories and massaged our necks. And a groups of teenagers eagerly awaiting the legal driving age gave us the most quizzical look and asked "why don’t you just drive?!"
The press has been following us closely. Word about the March is really getting around. We’re all so very proud of the volunteers making this such a success. One of our organizers, Dave, is so proud, in fact, that he took two of them to get pedicures tonight.
I’m currently drafting this from the entry way of a church in Wilmington that has shown us incredible hospitality. After finishing up this blog post and brainstorming for final activities, Antoinette and I are going to prepare for tomorrow.
We’ve got another 17 miles of adventure ahead of us.
Meanwhile, around the country, more people are rallying for real health care reform and to send that message to Congress.
In Iowa, the people rallied to send a message to Senator Harkin:
In New Jersey, people gathered in the snow to demand health care reform:
In Albany, NY, people rallied and called out the health insurance company lobbyists trying to kill reform:
In Maine, dozens called out Senator Snowe and pressured her to pass real health care reform:
In Montana, they rallied to send the message to Senators Baucus and Tester and Congressman Rehberg:
In Rhode Island, hundreds rallied to send the message:
The message is clear: Congress must get reform done and get it done right. No excuses!
You can help send this message, too. MoveOn.org is organizing a huge "virtual march" on Washington, DC on February 24th to welcome Melanie's March to DC and to make sure Congress hears from the people in advance of the President's health care summit on the 25th. We're participating, along with dozens of other groups.
Take it to the streets with us! Click here to sign up to virtually "march" with us on February 24th.