Anger at Insurance Companies Pulls 1000s to Protest

Paddy Lehane, Labor Notes, March 9, 2010 As health insurance lobbyists holed up in the Ritz-Carlton behind dozens of police in riot gear, thousands of health care activists surrounded the downtown DC hotel in a peaceful but pointed demonstration of anger and support for health care reform. The entire crowd was "deputized" to make citizen's arrests of insurance lobbyists for blocking health care reform. "When insurance companies come together to stop health care reform, that's a crime," said AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka as the crowd roared. "Congress should, Congress must, and Congress will listen to the people." ... Anger