The Ritz 14
We had 3,000 people in front of the Ritz Carlton today to protest against the control of our health care by Big Insurance. I joined a number of people I met at the last event (when we blocked the entrance to the US Chamber of Commerce), plus 3,000 others, and we marched on the Ritz Carlton, where America’s Health Insurance Plans was holding a meeting.
As the march kicked off from DuPont Circle, Howard Dean tok Mike’s picture and talked about him. He asked whether Congress would stand with the insurance companies or with us, with the memory of Mike. He talked about it on the Rachel Maddow Show. Mike’s picture made several national news shows. I was interviewed by ABC, and I made it onto the evening news.
We stood outside and chanted, sang and told our stories. We challenged the police, while telling them we were working for their rights to health care. Many of them let us know they appreciated it.
I had wanted to get arrested, but the DC police weren’t interested in arresting us, since we were nonviolent and we didn’t try to cross their lines.
We surrounded the hotel’s exits, including a tunnel that leads to the parking garage, and the coningent in the tunnel made so much noise they drowned out the speakers at the AHIP convention.
Meanwhile, we still wanted to get arrested, even though we weren’t really willing to do anything really wrong. Finally, the police decided they would “escort” us from the scene.
So, 14 of us were escorted around to the back of the building. The officer who escorted me asked about Mike’s photo and told me about how his roommate’s granddaughter died when she was 17 from a lack of care. He told me he admires our resolve and respects our activism. When we got to the release point, he hugged me and wished us luck.
We began chanting “Free the Ritz 14!”
So, I’m one of the Ritz 14. And Mike’s story made it onto ABC and tomorrow night I’m on Ed Shultz Show at 6 p.m. on MSNBC to tell Mike’s story.
I hope it makes a difference.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
Cool! I didnt get past the pic but that’s neat. I always knew Mike was destined for D.C.!