On August 29th, 2009, some 3,000 people gathered on a rainy Saturday afternoon, holding signs at the crossroads of the world: Times Square. Starting at nearly twenty locations in the five boroughs, groups gathered to walk from hospitals and medical centers to show their committment in the fight for quality, affordable health care for all. The rally itself was a mix of a tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy, who fought for health care reform his whole life, to a more joyous, determined call to action.
APA for Progress members, led by Theresa Thanjan and Elizabeth Lynch, gathered at St. Vincent's Hospital, where they were interviewed by Bill Moyers' camera crew. Then they joined other APAP organizers at the site who helped prep speakers and organize volunteers.
Below is an excerpt of a closing speech by Dr. Nina Agrawal, founder of NYCforChange, on what this rally meant to her.
Closing speech by Dr. Nina Agrawal:
My name is Nina Agrawal. I am a pediatrician, founder of the grassroots group, NYCforChange, and member of the National Physicians Alliance. For me, today is a dream come true. Never before having physicans, community members, and more than 75 local groups and national organizations come together to stand together for health care reform. This is an issue which I feel passionate about. I would like to thank everyone who worked hard and sacrificed their time to make this historic event happen. Today is the turning point in the battle that Senator Ted Kennedy and many others have dedicated their life to. Today symbolizes the beginning of an unstoppable mobilization of grassroots supporters across the country.
In the words of Ted Kennedy: Yes, we are all Americans. This is what we do. We reach the moon. We scale the heights. I know it. I've seen it. I've lived it. And we can do it again.
He was right. In 2008, we made the impossible possible. We can and we will do it again.
Thank you.
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