By Carol McCracken (Post # 413)

The public is invited to attend an interfaith gathering in support of health care for all. The rally is scheduled for Thursday, March 18th at 4 pm. on the steps of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress Street. (To the left is photo of Moe Blanchard, sexton, of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church.) The gathering is hosted by leaders from various faiths in the State. Hear their perspectives on a social justice movement and stand in solidarity with Mainers from across the State.

“Every hour, five Americans die needlessly because the wealthiest nation on Earth will not find a way to provide adequate coverage and care. Thousands of Mainers are left out and left behind in our current health care system,” said a press release prepared by Rev. Kitsy Winthrop, interim minister of First Parish Church, 425 Congress Street.

The press release went on to say that “here in Maine, one need look no further than the actions of our state’s largest health insurer, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, to illustrate the breadth and depth of the problem. On March 19, Anthem will sue the State of Maine for unconscionable rate hikes. We believe this to be morally wrong in a nation as wealthy as ours.”

Following the Thursday, March 18th 4 pm interfaith gathering, there will be a courthouse rally at the Cumberland County Courthouse. The public is invited to join hundreds of Mainers from across the state in solidarity against Anthem’s greed. The protest will be followed by a FREE bean supper and live music performance.

For more information, please call Rev. Kitsy Winthrop at (207) 773-7738.