MoveOn along with co-sponsors DFA, TrueMajority, Center for Community Change, Doctors for America, HCAN and the SEIU hosted over 350 candle light vigils last night to remind legislators that the country cannot wait for reform. Overwhelming the nation is in favor of reform and the local vigil I attended in Hollywood provided further evidence to support the campaign.
Arriving at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, around 150 pro-health insurance reform supporters gathered in the heart of Hollywood. Attendees holding home-made signs supporting the public health insurance option cheered and wave as cars, firetrucks, and yes, even a limousine honked in support.
As the sun set, community members lit small candles that fought with the bright lights of Hollywood to show their support. Speakers like Dr. Mario Milch, a physician with 41 years of practice, talked about the broken health care system and his own experience with the need for reform.
Another inspiring speaker was Reverend Burklow, from the California Council of Churches, who asked the activists gathered to have sympathy even for those who did not support reform: "They may have different beliefs than you or I, but the same need for health care."
Reverend Burklow also roused the crowd to cheers when he said, "We're not here because we're communists; we're here because a public option is good, common sense." Amen, Reverend.
In addition to Reverend Burklow and Dr. Milch, several activists stepped up and volunteered to share their health care stories. From a young mother, to a young woman battling a brain condition, to an uninsured man with colitis, to a veteran, all of their stories inspired. Before the evening concluded, these 150 activists delivered a strong positive message to the people of Hollywood as well as members of Congress, to make sure that they know an overwhelming majority of voters are counting on them to act quickly to pass heath insurance reform.
