A few hundred people protested outside of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) Racine, Wisconsin office on Tuesday, braving a snowstorm to demonstrate against Republicans’ proposed bill to replace Obamacare.
The protesters, organized primarily by three liberal groups — Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Fair Economy Illinois and People’s Action — marched a few blocks through town, stopping at one of Ryan’s three offices in the state, according to the Racine Journal Times.
The Journal Times reported that “many” of the protesters came into Racine by bus, presumably from Chicago. That’s where the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, for example, is headquartered:
We are heading to Racine, WI with Jane Addams @SeniorCaucus to protest Paul Ryan’s attacks on seniors. pic.twitter.com/DPl61AV69X
— Illinois Alliance (@ILRetirees) March 14, 2017
In a press release Monday, the three groups urged Ryan to “drop his plan to take away health care from tens of millions of people around the country – and pass Medicare for all.”
“While Paul Ryan peddles his ruthless health care repeal bill in D.C., his constituents in Racine are wondering how they will eat when they have to choose between food, housing and health care,” the statement added later.
Pictures and video of the rally posted online showed a frigid scene:
Wisconsin and Illinois Activists Brave Blizzard to Converge on House Speaker Paul Ryan’s Racine Office Demanding He… https://t.co/VQzxFywxLH pic.twitter.com/Gwzm4Qjegi
— Urban Milwaukee PR’s (@UMPressReleases) March 14, 2017
Braving the elements to tell Speaker Ryan: Hands off our Healthcare! @SeniorCaucus @TheWIAlliance @CitizenActionWI pic.twitter.com/cSUZsuXBE1
— Illinois Alliance (@ILRetirees) March 14, 2017
AT @SpeakerRyan Racine office to demand #MedicareForAll #ResistTrumpTuesdays pic.twitter.com/9VAw4EPN4I
— JASC (@SeniorCaucus) March 14, 2017
A spokesperson for Ryan didn’t immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment, but spokesman Ian Martorana told the Journal Times in an email: “Paul appreciates hearing the opinions and feedback of his constituents, he fully respects their right to voice their concerns, and he hopes any future demonstrations will continue to be conducted in a peaceful and civil manner.”
