Indybay
bar graph
Indybay Needs Your Help: Donate Now!
We need to raise $2,010 to continue operating.
All donations go directly to operating costs.
SF Bay Area Indymedia
indymedia
About Contact Subscribe Calendar Publish Print Donate

San Francisco | Arts + Action | Health, Housing, and Public Services | Front Page

Thu Sep 24 2009 (Updated 09/29/09) Protesters Mock Wealthy Investors, Demand that Blue Cross Stop Opposing Health Care Reform
Demonstrators Converge on California's Blue Cross Headquarters About 300 protesters gathered in front of Anthem Blue Cross' San Francisco headquarters September 22nd to bring attention to the company's opposition to health care reform. Demonstrators converged on California's Blue Cross office before noon and continued their loud protest for over two hours. They set up two sound systems, one for entertainment that playfully mocked the health insurance company's large profits, a second for speakers who told emotional stories of their problems with denied claims and treatment at the hands of one of the nation's largest insurers.

Satirizing the wealthy lifestyle of investors who profit from health care companies, a street theater group called Billionaires for Wealthcare gave speeches insisting that profits must be considered before the needs of people. They aped the rich with fake diamonds, golf clubs and top hats, and hoisted a placard reading "Blue Cross/Palin 2012". Following the Billionaires' exuberant performance, speakers, including real doctors and patients, took to a second sound system to chastise Anthem Blue Cross for what one person called the company's "unforgivable arrogance".

Later while the gathered crowd marched around the building chanting loudly, fifteen delegates from the protest attempted to enter Anthem Blue Cross' 13th floor office in the Embarcadero Center with a list of demands. Blue Cross personnel refused to open the door but listened to the delegates through an intercom, giving no response. The Billionaires, who joined the delegation to the high rise headquarters, insisted that they be allowed to enter the office saying, "after all, we OWN you." They were also rebuffed.

photoVideo | photo Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Billionaires for Wealthcare

02/07/12 Campaign Launches in Santa Cruz to Require Voter Approval for a Desalination Plant   Government & Elections | Santa Cruz Indymedia
02/06/12 Selective Cancellation of Oral Communications at Santa Cruz City Council   Government & Elections | Santa Cruz Indymedia
02/05/12 Anti-Choice Walk for Life Marchers Say Media Biased Towards Pro-Choice   Womyn
02/03/12 "Widening Waste$" Banner Drop Against Widening of Highway One from Morrissey to Soquel   Health, Housing, and Public Services | Santa Cruz Indymedia
01/25/12 Occupy Oakland Announces Building Occupation and Oakland Rise-Up Festival This Weekend   Health, Housing, and Public Services | Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism
01/24/12 Thousands Occupy San Francisco Financial District on January 20th   Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism
01/19/12 Occupy Santa Cruz Holds Noise Demonstrations Protesting Indefinite Detention for Sleep   Health, Housing, and Public Services | Santa Cruz Indymedia
01/19/12 Pro-Choice Activists to Counter "Walk for Life" with Family-Friendly Event   Womyn
01/18/12 Community Members to Surround Candlestick Stadium During NFC Championship   Police State and Prisons | Racial Justice
01/05/12 Sunrise Ceremony, March, Court Hearing, & Press Conference to Save the San Francisco Peaks   Environment & Forest Defense | Racial Justice
01/03/12 The 7th Annual Last Night DIY New Year's Parade in Santa Cruz   Arts + Action | Santa Cruz Indymedia