Health care reform rally draws hundreds

GREEN BAY - The event had all the makings of a political campaign rally, but the candidate was not a person it was an idea. About 400 people came out for the rally to support health care reform, people like Jane Benson.

"I think it's really important that we find common ground," Benson said.

The rally was put together by a number of interest groups including labor unions, religious organizations and democratic political organizations.

"The main purpose of it is to show there's real grass roots support for health care reform," Dan Grandone, Wisconsin director for Organizing for America.

Some people stood in line for nearly two hours to get a seat. Outside, people voiced their opposition to health care reform.

"It'd be great if they listened to what we're talking about," Cecil resident Cap Wallrich said. "They certainly should understand that we're very concerned about what's going on."

Organizers would not allow people to bring their signs into the event. The only signs allowed in were the signs provided by the organizers. Opponents disrupted the rally a couple of times and one man was escorted out. The event featured pro-reform videos and several speakers. The keynote speaker was Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen.

"We have to stop pointing fingers and start joining hands," Kagen said.

After the event, people from both sides had very different views about how it went.

"I thought it was gonna be more of a town hall meeting rather than just a big rally," Ken Sokol from Green Bay said. "I'm kind of disappointed that he wouldn't even take any questions."

"It was just an eye-opener I think," said Green Bay resident Katy Wettengel. "I hope it opened up a lot of people's eyes."

The following organizations participated in the rally: AFSCME Wisconsin, AFT-Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Disability Rights Wisconsin, ESTHER, Fox Valley Area Labor Council, Greater Green Bay Labor Council, JOSHUA, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Marinette/Menominee Labor Council, National Association of Social Workers-Wisconsin Chapter, Northeast Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, Organizing for America, SEIU, Wisconsin State Council, United Steelworkers International Union, Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, Wisconsin Education Association Council and Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

Congressman Kagen will also participate in a health care forum Thursday night in Marinette. That event is being sponsored by the Democratic party. Kagen will hold a listening session in Green Bay on Monday.