Thursday, July 2, 2026

Big rally for single-payer health care

Hundreds march in Oakland for “Medicare for all”

A large and energetic crowd gathered in front of Oakland City Hall
A large and energetic crowd gathered in front of Oakland City Hall

By Tim Redmond

JULY 30, 2015 — Hundreds of people filled Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland today as part of what will be a growing campaign to bring single-payer healthcare to California.

It was billed as a 50th birthday celebration for Medicare, but it was also a pep rally for a move to get the private insurance companies out of the health-care business.

The weather was perfect, the crowd was festive .. and the momentum has begun.

Hene Kelly got the crowd warmed up
Hene Kelly got the crowd warmed up
MC Tom Ammiano kept things serious -- and fun
MC Tom Ammiano kept things serious — and fun
48hillsmedicarejovanka
Jovanka Beckles came from Richmond, where she is on the City Council
Dolores Huerta got the crowd saying that we have the power to demand change
Dolores Huerta got the crowd saying that we have the power to demand change
Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond has been a political and investigative reporter in San Francisco for more than 30 years. He spent much of that time as executive editor of the Bay Guardian. He is the founder of 48hills.

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