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WILKES-BARRE — Severe weather warnings weren’t enough to keep a group of protesters from gathering outside the Luzerne County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon to send a message to Washington about their health care.
Action Together Northeastern Pennsylvania, in conjunction with Our Revolution, hosted the rally to support the Affordable Care Act and had one clear message for Washington — “We are not going away. And we vote.”
Rallies were held across the country, including Pennsylvania cities such as Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Stroudsburg. The rallies, which have been happening since the 2016 election, have been inspired in part by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Action Together NEPA is a “grassroots” group that formed after the election.
Cindy Malkemes, of Action Together NEPA and an organizer of the rally, said the group serves as “story tellers, event organizers and political activists.”
“We strive to be all-inclusive and to be a voice of those often not heard,” Malkemes said to the crowd.
She said the group plans rallies based on what is happening in the country and what issues are facing Americans.
“We’re reacting to things that happen in our country,” Malkemes said. “So things have to happen really quickly.
A group of about 100 protesters attended Saturday’s rally, carrying signs that read “Save the A.C.A.” and “Everyone deserves healthcare,” while chanting “Don’t take away our ACA.”
The ACA has provided about 20 million Americans with health insurance since its inception. However, premiums and co-payments have continued to rise, causing GOP leadership to question its effectiveness.
Speakers at the rally included Bob Morgan, district director for U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, Pamela Zotynia, executive director of the Arc of Luzerne County, and April Holgate, community engagement specialist for the Pennsylvania Health Access Network.
Morgan assured the crowd of Cartwright’s support for the ACA, and that “a basic right is under attack.”
“No one should agonize over whether to pay their medical bills or mortgage,” Morgan said.
Morgan said that Cartwright recognizes that the ACA is not a perfect law, and he is committed to improving and protecting it.
“In other words, keep it and make it better,” he said.
Holgate echoed Morgan, saying that while the ACA is imperfect, it has helped people get insured.
“I think there’s a lot more good that’s been done by the law,” she said.
“There are people here on the ground that depend on that law to get them coverage.”
And Holgate said she wants to remind people to speak up on their feelings about the issues.
“Make your voice heard,” she said.
Phyllis Marquis, of Shavertown, said she has attended every rally since last November’s election, and said people should continue to be active in politics.
“I think it’s important that we continue to stand up for the issues that are important to us, and the Affordable Care Act is extremely important to the people in this county, in this state and in this country,” she said.
