PORTLAND, Maine — Mainers in support of national health care reform will gather at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 18, in Portland for what is being billed as the “the largest health care march in Maine history.”
The event will feature speakers including state Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville; Maine House Speaker Hannah Pin-gree, D-North Haven; and former Maine Senate President Elizabeth Edmonds.
The march is being held to support “the broad principles of affordability, a public option and universal coverage,” Greg Howard of the Service Employees International Union’s Change That Works campaign said in a news release. Organizers include the Maine People’s Alliance, Health Care for America Now, the League of Young Voters, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the SEIU.
Howard said he expects several hundred people to attend. “It’s going to be big,” he said.
Marchers are encouraged to bring “tactful” signs, he said.
Free transportation to the march is available from many communities, including Presque Isle, Houlton, Machias, Bangor, Ellsworth, Belfast and Rockland. Reservations are requested as soon as possible for planning purposes and can be made by e-mailing healthandjustice@gmail.com or by calling 344-7540.