Activists rally at state Capitol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More than 700 supporters of the Democrat-led health care reform rallied outside the state Capitol Thursday, chanting in favor of health coverage for all Americans.
Election 2012: Across the nation
Annette Cotter, 69, of DeKalb County, said that when her husband contracted bacterial meningitis, his insurance company canceled his policy. The couple ended up spending $700 a month for a Cobra insurance policy.
“He had worked his whole life,” she said.
Like much of the crowd, she favored the “public option” proposal that would expand coverage to the unemployed and needy.
“We lived in Brussels for three years and we never paid a penny, and we never waited like I wait for my doctor here,” she said.
The rally was sponsored by Moveon.org, Health Care for America Now, and Organizing for America.
A much smaller contingent of about 20 opponents to the Democrat plan faced off against the crowd at a corner by the Capitol.
Supporters held signs saying “Public Option = Affordable Health Care” and opponents held signs such as “Washington -- Leave Us Alone.”
Members of both groups shouted at each other but there was no pushing or violence.
Opponent Kathy Harper of Griffin said, “I am sick and tired of our government running roughshod over us.”
Health care, she added, is not a right in America.
“You show me where health care is a right in the Constitution, and I’ll put down this sign and walk away,” she said.
Rev. Timothy McDonald, a leader of the patient advocate group called The Grady Coalition, said to the crowd, “We stand here as people who believe that health care is a moral issue. We will not be intimidated by those who holler at town hall meetings. Today we stand for health care for all Americans.”
Smart Shopping
starts here!
This week's inserts | Today's Deals | Grocery Coupons
Grad School / MBA a ticket to success? Earning power | How to pay | Atlanta programs
Today's Deal
Get the deal of the day at DealSwarm.
Inside ajc.com
Luckovich on confession

Editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich gives his take on local news, politics, sports and celebrities.
Memorial Day best bets

Enjoy one of many Memorial Day weekend activities or ceremonies in the Atlanta metro area.
The week in entertainment

What were the stars up to this week? Well, Kim K. and Kanye took in a Lakers game, for starters.
Can you see the change?

What's altered in the two photos? See how you score when you play the Find 5 Challenge!
May proms, updated

Prom season is off and running. Take a look at May prom photos, and send us yours.



