By Chad McKenna
The North East Area Labor Council teamed up with other health insurance reform organizations for a rally this past weekend on the steps of the Gerald Heaney Federal Building to call on Congress to pass health care reform now. Speakers included Alex Livadaros, small business owner and member of AFSCME local 66, and Alan Netland, President of North East Area Labor Council and AFSCME local 66. Kathy Heltzer, a Social Work Professor at UMD and UEA member was the MC for the event. Other speakers included Pastor Kathy Nelson of Peace United Church, Frank Boyle, former Wisconsin legislator and retired member of LIUNA, and Duluth City Councilor-elect Kerry Gauthier.
Following the rally, health care activists marched to Blue Cross Blue Shield to present a list of demands to the company and place a tombstone in front of their offices in memory of the 45,000 people who die every year due to the lack of health insurance.