ST. GEORGE, Utah, Jan. 15, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Organized protests against the possible repeal of guaranteed health care coverage for 20 million Americans began Sunday in the Southern Utah cities of St. George and Washington.
Carrying signs and standing on St. George street corners, protesters told Gephardt Daily they believe it’s important to speak out before the government takes away health care for millions of citizens.
“Health care is a non-partisan issue,” said organizer Jillynn Stevens of Hurricane. “We need to expand health care, not cut it,” she said, referring to the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
“We need to band together and call our representatives,” declared demonstrator Megan Honer-Orton. “We need to make loud noises to let them know we are concerned about the health care situation.”
The protesters said they are taking their cue from Senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi by letting local lawmakers know their feelings as Republicans, along with president-elect Donald Trump, move to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no specific plans on replacement.
The protests are in St. George at River Road and St. George Boulevard. In Washington, protests are at Greensprings Drive and Telegraph road.
Stevens says the group is passing out fliers, and she says she is encouraged by the support they received from passers-by.
Stevens says more protests will be held in Southern Utah on Jan. 21 as part of the nationwide Women’s March the day after Trump’s inauguration.
