Union families show anti-Obama rally ‘what real Americans want’ (Photos)

[IndianaGreen]

Union families show anti-Obama rally ‘what real Americans want’

Author: Paul S. Kaczocha
People's Weekly World Newspaper, 08/06/09 14:22

WAKARUSA, Ind. – In just a few hours on Aug. 5 the Steelworkers Union organized a bus load and several cars from Gary, Ind., to take the two hour trip to this small sleepy town near Elkhart and in the middle of the Amish area also known for RV and trailer construction.

More than 1,200 people from around the area gathered to support President Barack Obama and health care reform amongst other issues.

In contrast, The Young Republicans organized a smaller effort to protest Obama and health care reform efforts.

Earlier in the week many of these same protesters tried to disrupt a forum on health care with Congressman Pete Visclosky, sponsored by the Democratic Alliance group in Chesterton, Ind. The protesters are mounting “recess rallies” nationwide targeting Democrats and the president.

Obama spoke at the bankrupt and recently-purchased Monaco Coach RV manufacturer while supporters and protesters rallied outside. Unemployment in the area is nearly 20 percent in the state where it has reached 11 percent. Obama announced a $39 million stimulus grant to the company that purchased Monaco to make 400 electric trucks.

Ula Woods a school bus driver from Gary said she came to the rally, “to support Obama and his health care plans.” JC, also of Gary and a SEIU member and custodian, said he came “for health care reform and jobs. I am laid off with 59 others.”

Helen Johnson of South Bend, Ind. said “She came to show Obama that we support his efforts to get health care for all the people that don’t have it.”

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/16654 /


Paul S. Kaczocha
Union members and their families gathered
near Elkhart, Ind., Aug. 5 to show their support
for President Obama and health care reform.


All photos by Paul Kaczocha

[livetohike]

1. The GOP can't out-organize union workers

Lots of practice and history. Once immobilized, they will outnumber those sent by the Republicans.

[BlooInBloo]

34. I'm pretty sure you mean "mobilized".

[livetohike]

35. Oh geez, I am an idiot

Yes, I definitely meant mobilized

[IndianaGreen]

36. I am a union member, and I am immobilized a lot

particularly on Fridays after I cash my paycheck, you can find me immobilized at a local pub.

[AspenRose]

2. *applause* *applause*

[patrice]

3. My Dad, god rest his soul, was a Union guy, foreman pipefitter.

Our large family had a decent life and my Dad had a retirement BECAUSE of his Union.

We listened to stories about big construction projects at our dinner table, all of the stuff going on, including Racism. My Dad was a country boy from the South, but he always stood for what was right.

[Cha]

9. Awww..

[holiday]

4. I like the 47 million uninsured is rationing sign!

[Libby2]

5. K&R

[pleah]

6. K&R

[ellie]

7. Awesome!

Thanks for posting these photos!

[Cha]

8. That's What I'm Talkin' About!

[Brother Buzz]

10. Hazzah! The Unions, with a lot of help from FDR, rebuilt the middle class

Nothing I would like to see more than strong Unions leading the charge, with Obama's administration, help to reinvigorate the middle class, the backbone of a thriving nation.

[demosincebirth]

13. Absolutely true!

[patrice]

15. Strong Unions = Strong Families. nt

[ima_sinnic]

11. good--no photos here or in the article of the morons

nor are they quoted.
they need to be marginalized the way antiwar protestors, who have always numbered in the tens or hundreds of thousands and take up multiple city blocks with their marches, have been for 40 years.

[rvablue]

17. The only caveat to that being it looks like a union paper. Hopefully, the local paper gave them as

much print/photo space.

[PSzymeczek]

21. Nothing on the union presence.

Wakarusa is really tiny (<1700) and doesn't have its own paper that I'm aware of or can find. Neither the Goshen News or the Elkhart Truth had anything on the unions.

[otohara]

12. Tee Hee - Take That

birthers, deathers, morans,

[DrToast]

14. And not a single poster of a Republican dressed like Hitler. n/t

[earth mom]

16. People round here could learn a thing or two from Unions

Especially those who are all worried and afraid of the rethug bullies.

Puhleeze. Union peeps will wipe the floor with them.

If we all really want health care we need to FIGHT for it like Unions have done for decades!

[Edweird]

20. No kidding. People here are terrified of EVERYTHING.

[MadMaddie]

23. You haven't read my posts..I think it's time to stand down the

bullys. The more we play nice the more they feel empowered. The last 8 years they got away with their hate, racism and bullying....bullys don't do so well when someone is standing toe to to with them.

[rvablue]

18. K&R! And just note the contrast between these calm, smiling faces and the vicious expressions

we've seen on the mugs of the screaming, yelling corporate-sponsored mobs.

A picture is worth a thousands words!

[DrToast]

19. The unions better be out there since they're the ones being protected with this health care bill

The Wyden-Bennett bill would be better for the vast majority of people in this country, but the unions won't have it.

[pinb1212]

28. Wyden has been villanized

by many "progressives".
I think he's got great ideas.....

[DrToast]

29. I agree. And his health care bill is certainly better than what's on the table now

But, Obama has to keep the unions happy. I mean, I understand why. They're a powerful political force and they did a lot to help him get elected. I just think it sucks that we're getting a shittier health care bill because of that.

[jwirr]

39. So what does your bill have that is so good? A public option?

[mzmolly]

22. BRAVO!!!

[David Zephyr]

24. Encouraging post. We need the unions to get out now, if ever, to these town hall meetings.

This is how it should be done. Thanks, IG.

[IndianaGreen]

33. I am a card carrying member of a union

and I personally know many of the USW folks in the pictures.

[Odin2005]

25. YAY unions!!!

[firedupdem]

26. K&R

Notice the faces aren't twisted in hatred?

[BrklynLiberal]

27. Unions!! We need them more than ever.

[Douglas Carpenter]

30. kick and recommended!!

[goclark]

31. Excellent ~ thanks

[ensho]

32. I heart Unions - thank you all for being there

nt

[Peacetrain]

37. Just makes you proud to be an American, to see the Unions out and supporting..K&R

[dionysus]

38. hmmm, a union crew vs a bunch of alex p keaton wannabes..... wonder who'll win

[syberlion]

40. Not only a lot of smiling faces, but a better cross-section

of America, not all angry, older white people decrying things like, "I want my country back" or "Keep the government away from my Medicare." That last one is one of my personal favorites...

PS. I am a card carrying union member myself and proud of it.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

41. Very nice.

[onestepforward]

42. I needed some good news today! Thanks! K&R n/t