Labor, faith and community groups target giant insurer; six arrested in protest

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Workday Minnesota

By Steve Share, Labor Review editor

MINNETONKA - More than 100 people demonstrated and six were arrested at the headquarters of the nation’s largest private insurance company, UnitedHealth Group.

Labor, faith and community organizations working together in the Health Care for America Now coalition organized Monday’s protest, the third local action in two weeks against the practices of the giant health insurer.

Six of the demonstrators were arrested after they sat down to block the doors of the UnitedHealth Group offices and refused to leave.


Six members of the group sat down to block the doors of the UnitedHealth Group offices and risk arrest. Above, left to right: Julie Schnell, president, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota; Anna Brelje, political director, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation; Mary Rosenthal, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and former UnitedHealth Group employee; Sean Anderson, organizer with SEIU Local 26; Diane Brennan, small business owner, grandmother and ISAIAH leader; and Pamela Twiss, program and organizing director, TakeAction Minnesota.


“We’re here today to stop UnitedHealth Group from continuing its business practice of denying health coverage and insurance claims as the primary means of turning a profit,” said Julie Schnell, president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and one of those arrested.


Read more: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4196

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Where is the MSM?

[PuraVidaDreamin]

1. We all should be doing this

Anyone interested in the Boston area?

[No Elephants]

4. Yes, but I would want to make sure we have a healthy turnout.

And, we should invite Mayor Menino, Mike Capuano and Martha Coakley to join us.

:evilgrin:

What the hell? I've never been arrested before.

[thunder rising]

2. You know being arrested for demonstrating against big Health is the next pre-existing condition

[bread_and_roses]

3. Hurrah for them! Right On! More, more, more of this! (n/t)

[Odin2005]

5. Yay for my fellow Minnesotans!

[Judi Lynn]

6. This needs to be repeated continually. Thanks, Omaha Steve. n/t

[Doctor_J]

7. protests by 100 people won't do much

if 5 million people were to occupy United Health HQ, that might get someone's attention.

[groundloop]

8. I'm in, when are we doing it?

I'll return the favor and give back a little heartburn to those bastards.

[earcandle]

9. i THINK SOMEONE SHOULD CHALLENGE THE STATE AND FEDERAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT OUR RIGHT TO

PEACEFULLY DEMONSTRATE WITHOUT BEING HASSLED BY COPS OR CIA OR
MINUTEMEN. 

WE NEED TO GET THAT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT FIRM AND CERTAINT SO
ALL OF US CAN 
PROTEST WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST.  THIS IS SO UNDEMOCRATIC TO
HAVE TO PUT UP
WITH POLICE.  WE HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTEST AS LONG AS WE DON'T
MAKE PROBLEMS.

HOW CAN WE INSURE THIS?  ISN'T THIS A CONCERN?  MOST PEOPLE
WHO ARE WORKING
WON'T GO IF PENALIZED.  AND THE OLD AND YOUNG ARE NOT ABLE TO
DEAL WITH ARRESTS.

WE MUST FIX THIS, AS WELL AS PROSECUTE THOSE WHO TOOK OUT OUR
REGULATIONS AND SCAMMED THE REPUBLIC.

IMNSHO.

[Doctor_J]

11. that right has been revoked. You can brandish an assault rifle at a presidential appearance,

and be left alone, but you can't assemble peaceably in protest of death merchants like UH.

The Constitution is no longer in effect, earcandle. Get used to it.

[trof]

10. I just dumped United Healthcare.

Because of the CEO's obscene compensation and their lobbying efforts against health care reform.

I'm changing my Medicare supplemental policy to Mutual of Omaha.