Protesters Plan ‘Citizens Arrests’ of Health Insurers’ Leaders in D.C.

[babylonsister]

Protesters Plan ‘Citizens Arrests’ of Health Insurers’ Leaders in D.C.

by Bob Graham


A number of health reform advocates, including labor groups, plan to protest outside the hotel where a number of top health care executives are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., Tuesday (March 9).

The protest, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Dupont Circle, is designed to disrupt a meeting of the Association of Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), an insurance industry trade group representing about 1,300 insurance companies who provide health plans to nearly 200 million Americans.

Protesters, organized by Health Care for America NOW!, which includes the support of a number of labor unions, say they want the event to increase support for President Barack Obama's heath reform proposal. The president continues to call for Congress to act on his proposal in the next few weeks.

Organizers of the protest say they plan to "deputize" participants so they can "conduct a mass citizens' arrest" of the insurance executives inside the conference, according to a website titled "Citizens' Posse." Those who cannot attend the protest are being told they can be "deputized online" by Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, a music group, for a virtual protest.

The protesters plan to "confront the insurance company defenders and CEOs who make money by jacking up rates while providing less medical coverage or dropping policyholders altogether," according to a statement on the Health Care for America NOW! website.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/03/09

[flamingdem]

1. get 'em Ranger nt