top
Newswire
Features
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Thu Sep 24 2009 (Updated 09/29/09)
Demonstrators Converge on California's Blue Cross Headquarters
Protesters Mock Wealthy Investors, Demand that Blue Cross Stop Opposing Health Care Reform
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.

photo Video | photo Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Billionaires for Wealthcare
2025-02-22 Musk and Trump Blasted for Attempting Fascist Takeover Front Page | Labor & Workers | Central Valley | San Francisco | South Bay | East Bay | Peninsula | North Bay / Marin | California | U.S. | Government & Elections | Santa Cruz Indymedia2025-01-14 Healthcare Profiteers Encounter Protest at Investors Gathering Front Page | Health, Housing & Public Services | San Francisco | Palestine2025-01-01 Photography From Gaza By Journalist Ahmed Younis Front Page | Anti-War | Media Activism & Independent Media | Arts + Action | East Bay | Palestine2024-12-31 Launched 25 Years Ago, Riseup.net Continues Providing Vital Infrastructure Front Page | Global Justice & Anti-Capitalism | Media Activism & Independent Media | U.S. | International2024-12-30 After Quick "Hiatus" Editors of IGD Continue Publishing Front Page | Global Justice & Anti-Capitalism | Media Activism & Independent Media | U.S.2024-12-24 A Shifting Landscape for Autonomous Anti-Capitalist Media Global Justice & Anti-Capitalism | Media Activism & Independent Media | U.S.2024-12-23 Daniel Andreas San Diego Wanted for Questioning in Bay Area Bombings Front Page | Police State & Prisons | East Bay | U.S. | International | Animal Liberation2024-06-11 If Passed, Measure J Will Ban "Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations" North Bay / Marin | Government & Elections | Animal Liberation2024-06-11 Activists Stand in Solidarity with Horses Who Lost Their Lives at Race Track East Bay | Animal Liberation2024-06-11 Two Years After Shireen Abu Akleh Was Killed, There Still Is No Justice Media Activism & Independent Media | San Francisco | International2024-06-11 Crisis Team Provides Students with Non-Police Response to Mental Health Crises Police State & Prisons | Health, Housing & Public Services | Education & Student Activism | California | Santa Cruz Indymedia
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

Donate

$230.00 donated
in the past month

Get Involved

If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.

Publish

Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.

IMC Network