Groups Protest Proposed Repeal of Obamacare in White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Members of the new network, Westchester Social Justice Community (WSJC), and other residents gathered for the first “Justice Monday” at noon Monday, Jan. 30 at the fountain in the Renaissance Plaza at the intersection of Main Street and Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.

The purpose of "Justice Mondays" is to engage the public by showing solidarity for human rights and to demonstrate support for the most vulnerable, according to a spokeswoman.

The next "Justice Monday" will be at the same time and location Monday, Feb. 6.

More than 50 people gathered Monday to highlight the need to protect 20 million Americans who could lose health care if the Affordable Care Act is repealed.

Tuesday, Jan. 31 is the deadline to sign up on New York’s website for health coverage under the exchange.

President Trump and the Republicans have not released any information about a replacement plan and over 2.7 million New Yorkers stand to lose coverage if the ACA is repealed.

Participants in Monday's event also helped collect signatures on over 100 postcards that will be sent to state Senators asking them to support the NY Health Act, a single-payer system that would expand the state’s Medicare program to cover all New Yorkers. Westchester for Change and LHVPAN, two of the groups represented today, support the bill and the Campaign for New York Health.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, sent a representative who read a statement regarding Trump's executive order issued this past Friday instituting religious tests for refugees

"Our nation's most powerful foreign policy tool is our moral leadership. President Trump's action does not live up to America's core values of equality and religious freedom, and he must rescind his executive order immediately," the statement said.

The rally Feb. 6 will urge County Executive Robert Astorino and the Board of Legislators to pass a resolution to make Westchester a sanctuary county.

Photo credit: NY State of Health website.