Are you willing to risk or support arrests for Medicare for all?

Several groups working on behalf of single payer health care will be organizing the Mobilization for Health Care for All, a national day of non-violent civil disobedience actions on October 15, when protesters will stage sit-ins at the offices of major insurance companies. To sign up to participate, either in civil disobedience or as a supporter in legal protest, or to donate to the bail and defense fund, visit the Mobilization's website. Over 680 people have pledged to be involved in civil disobedience so far.

The Mobilization for Health Care for All has been initiated by Center for the Working Poor, Healthcare-NOW! and Prosperity Agenda, and is endorsed by AfterDowningStreet.org, Black Agenda Report, Code Pink and Progressive Democrats of America.

Sit-ins have already been held in New York City, and yesterday in Chicago, where seven people were arrested at Cigna, after demanding the company approve all doctor-recommended treatments. Protesters included Rep. Mary E. Flowers, a state representative from Illinois's 31st district, and Midge Hough, who lost her daughter-in-law Jenny five weeks ago to acute pneumonia, as a result of inadequate care. Jenny was seven and a half months pregnant when she died.

“We lost Jennifer, and we lost our grandchild. She can’t speak up for herself anymore, but I’m going to speak for Jennifer,” said Hough. “Tomorrow is her memorial service or I would have been one of the people sitting inside… This is the richest country in the world and my daughter in law and my grandchild died, and I can’t accept that.”

Read more about the Chicago action here, and see video of the first action in September, in New York. Video from Chicago is below: