Health Care Can't Wait Rally Personal Account

Gratifying and Inspiring!

Those are the two words that come to mind when I remember the “Health Care Can’t Wait Labor Day Rally & March” on Boston Common. I arrived at 9:45am. The only people there were the volunteers, and it seemed as if half of those were Cambridge-Somerville for Change members. Once the rally began, the energy level quickly rose. The rank and file union members that told their health insurance stories made the real issues sink in. It was gratifying, hearing from all but one of our US congressional representatives who voiced their strong support for health insurance reform, including a strong public option.

At the end of the rally, we marched down the middle of Boylston St to Copley Square. Passers-by stopped to watch. It was obvious why we were there: they read the many signs people carried and they heard our chants: “What do we want? Health care! When do we want it? Now! Public Option! Public Option!”

Finally we reached Copley Square and marched all the way around the square to Trinity Church. We filled Copley Square with thousands of people publicly demonstrating their support for health care reform including a public option.

That’s why I found this Labor Day to be the most inspiring day since November 4, 2008!