On Saturday, March 13, 2021 the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) held a rally and door-hanger event in Orinda to call on Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to support AB 1400, The California Guaranteed Health Care for All Act. Members of many organizations like Health Care for All – Contra Costa County Chapter, National Nurses United, SEIU 1021, and others joined with DSA at the event. Approximately 50 to 75 people attended the initial rally in front of the Orinda Library. The crowd was young and diverse. At the registration tables, DSA offered signs to support California Medicare for All and sold t-shirts to raise funds.
Speakers at the rally included nurses, union members, and Jovanka Beckles, former City Councilmember of Richmond.
The biggest surprise came in the form of a cardboard, life-size cutout of Governor Gavin Newsom. He was placed at the podium while a recording played of one of his speeches declaring his support for Medicare for All in California! The crowd loved it. This added to the upbeat, positive feeling of the rally. After the rally, the DSA leaders divided the group into teams to walk Orinda neighborhoods to place the door-hangers. They instructed everyone in the use of an app called “MiniVan” that provided the addresses of the homes for each team. We went out in teams of two people to place the door-hangers. The entire event was energizing. See this DSA Facebook Post for more information and pictures of the event.
I understand that more events like this are being planned soon. I encourage everyone to attend.
Jonee Grassi, Health Care for All – Contra Costa County Chapter.