200 Rally for Affordable Healthcare: Urge Jerry Brown to Support Universal Healthcare
San Francisco, CA – Nearly 200 Bay Area high school youth and Community Members rally in front of the California State Building in San Francisco to ensure that every person has access to affordable healthcare and urge Governor Brown to support universal healthcare amidst Republican threats to repeal Affordable Care Act. The rally was organized by Youth MOJO, a program of the Chinese Progressive Association, based in San Francisco Chinatown.
While Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act have stalled, healthcare access for millions of Americans continue to be at risk, as President Trump continues to call for efforts to end ACA and threaten the healthcare of millions of Californians, including the 5.6 million children enrolled in Medi-Cal.
This summer, high school youth leaders from Youth MOJO at the Chinese Progressive Association have collected over 400 pledge cards from California residents to support healthcare access for all. Youth leaders called for Governor Brown to ensure healthcare access for all Californians by supporting healthcare for all.
“Last week, people all over the country stopped the repeal of the Affordable Care Act but we know that the administration will continue their efforts to take away healthcare from our communities while giving tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. As youth, we are counting on Governor Brown to stand with us and protect Californians from these threats,” says Nevin Chin, Youth MOJO member and current student at Lick-Wilmerding High School.
As a part of the rally, youth and community members called Governor Brown’s office to voice their demand for him to support universal healthcare.
“In 2011, my grandmother was diagnosed with kidney disease. She ended up needing dialysis and a kidney transplant. We would not have been able to afford this if my grandmother didn’t have access to Medi-care. If Republicans had their way last week, people like my grandmother, could be prevented from getting the care they need to survive,” shared Amy Li, a senior at George Washington High School and member of Youth MOJO. She adds, “Governor Brown, we in California can show the rest of the country what taking care of our community looks like!”
Speakers available for interviews. Photos available at request.
About Chinese Progressive Association: Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) is a nonprofit that educates, organizes and empowers the low-income and working class immigrant Chinese community in San Francisco to demand better living and working conditions and justice for all people. CPA has been organizing with workers in San Francisco’s Chinese immigrant community since the 1970s.
About Youth MOJO: Youth Movement of Justice and Organizing (MOJO) is a youth leadership development program of the Chinese Progressive Association for high school students in San Francisco. Youth MOJO works on social justice issues affecting low-income Chinese families such as healthcare, education, immigration, and workers’ rights by empowering young people to work towards positive change in our communities. Through Youth MOJO, youth develop and strengthen leadership, public speaking, outreaching, communication, advocacy and organizing skills while having fun and meeting new friends in a friendly and engaging environment.
