Picture above from today's Mobilize for Healthcare Action in Lieberman's D.C Office (Nov. 10)
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UPDATE
At least five were arrested in Lieberman's D.C. office today after engaging in a theatrical demonstration urging Sen. Lieberman to stop taking money from health insurance corporations.
Fake dollar bills were thrown throughout the building. Printed on the money was Lieberman's face and the words "Insurance Money Kills Democracy."
One single-payer advocate protesting marched throughout the building with a cardboard cutout of Lieberman's face yelling, "I've had a change of heart," and scattering the fake money in the hallways and foyer of the building.
Lieberman did not agree to meet with any of the protesters.
Original Entry
The grassroots organization, Mobilization for Healthcare for All, returned to Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-CT) D.C. Office on Tuesday morning and confronted Lieberman for taking money from insurance companies and opposing healthcare as a human right.
Sam Pullen, who engaged in a sit-in at a Blue Cross office in Los Angeles on Oct. 15th, was arrested, and then pledged to stay in jail in L.A. until Blue Cross stopped denying care to those that need it most, participated in the action along with others from the Washington, D.C. area.
The action involved a visual act of theater where someone playing Sen. Lieberman appeared enlightened as music was playing and agreed to give the money he had accepted from insurance companies like Aetna back to the companies so they could use it to cover consumers.
Pullen explained this was designed to "provide an image of what it would look like for a senator to give back the money that they've received from insurance companies and agree that they're going to fight for healthcare to be a basic right for all."
Those who entered Lieberman's office hoped to catch Lieberman before he was able to sneak out the back exit like he did last time they came to confront him. And, they were prepared to risk arrest and go to jail.
Pullen was prepared to be arrested and stay in jail so he could continue to bring attention to the need for real healthcare reform.
"This really is a critical time, things are moving forward, and there's probably a little bit over a month to influence the political process with our grassroots," said Pullen. He added, "There's a long tradition---which I'm proud to be part of---of citizens who speak their conscience even if that means landing themselves in jail."
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