Thousands of people of faith turn out for National Day of Action on health insurance reform

August 12, 2009

On August 11, PICO kicked off its August Congressional recess campaign "40 Days for Health Reform" with a National Day of Action that included 50 prayer vigils and rallies in 18 states and reaching over 100 Members of Congress, as well as a national TV Ad from the faith community. See a complete listing of August 11 Prayer Vigils and Rallies and TV ad here >>

Some highlights of local events included:  

L.A. Voice in Los Angeles, CA led a high energy, worship-like Rally in Los Angeles with 250 supporters and Rep. Xavier Becerra and Rep. Diane Watson.  Read a story in the LA Times here. And watch video of the rally below.

Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) in Kansas City, MO had 100 supporters, including 25 clergy, at their Rally outside of Senator Claire McCaskill's office, whose District director attended.

Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS) in Orlando, FL held a press conference that featured Bishop Wenski of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando speaking strongly about the need for protecting the poor and immigrants and challenging their Congressional delegation to come to FOCUS's  Town Hall Meeting on Health Care on August 20. Watch Bishop Wenski make remarks about health care >>

Metro Organizations for People (MOP) held a rally in Ft. Collins, CO asking Congresswoman Betsy Markey and Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall to support health reform legislation. Throughout August, PICO will be holding large events with Members of Congress in Florida, Colorado, Missouri, Louisiana and other pivotal states to help people understand more clearly the benefits of health reform for their families and bring civility back to the debate.

In September, local faith leaders will again meet with our Members of Congress in DC to urge that the health reform bill includes a strong Affordability Standard that will protect working people from crushing health care costs, which keep escalating while incomes stay level or fall.

In addition, congregations in our network have committed to generate 55,000 calls and emails to Congress over the next forty days.

These activities have one major goal: to make sure that our Members of Congress understand clearly that a majority of the American people - especially in the faith community - want them to get the job done on health care when they return to session this fall.