On Oct. 15, activists came out to the Democratic fundraiser that Barack Obama attended in San Francisco to protest the Obama administration’s refusal to consider single-payer health care. The protest also spoke out against the colonial occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and the refusal of the current administration to cut off military aid and funding to the right-wing coup government in Honduras.
The demonstration took place at Union Plaza and encompassed the entire intersection near the St. Francis Hotel where the fundraiser was held. Single Payer Now, the leading organization for a single-payer health care plan that would allow everyone to have comprehensive health care, called the demonstration.
The ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) supports the demand for universal health care and was present with a strong young contingent of activists that held a banner, along with the Bay Area Latin American Solidarity Coalition and the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five demanding the normalization of relations with Cuba and the release of The Five. The youth contingent led chants such as, “Health care for all; bring the troops home now,” “They say cutbacks; we say fight back,” “bail out the people; not the banks,” “CAFTA, NAFTA we don’t haf ‘ta,” “Zalaya sí; golpistas no” and more.
Obama began his presidential campaign with the support of many people in the United States who are against the war. He promised change. Now as the president, Obama has continued the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that Bush started. The millions of dollars spent everyday on the occupations should instead be spent to eliminate the economic crisis. Universal health care, education and jobs for all!
