Nationwide health care rally includes event in Santa Barbara

As Republicans press forward on repealing the Affordable Care Act, people across the country and here at home held events aimed at preserving health care.

Rallies and events were held nationwide on Sunday to protest Republicans’ plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The movement was organized by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

“Thousands of Americans are saying loudly and clearly: Republicans, you’re not going to destroy the affordable care act,” Sanders said at Michigan rally earlier this week.

Christina Eliason is a member of Indivisible Santa Barbara , a political action group that encourages local representatives to resist federal policies the group deems “harmful to California’s best interests.”

“Today we are responding to a call from our democratic leaders in Washington who issued a letter to all Democrats to have a day of action on January 15,” Eliason said.

Indivisible Santa Barbara moved quickly to organize an event attended by Rep. Salud Carbajal and health care leaders.

“It started with a meeting on Monday. So six days later, this place was full past capacity,” said Indivisible Santa Barbara member Jennie Reinish.

More than 150 people packed the Carrillo Recreation Center to learn about what’s at stake.

“I really hope people are walking away with the facts and figures and the knowledge to pass along to the rest of the community,” Reinish said.

Community members say they are ready to fight.

“I know that we need to get together. If we don’t stand up, together as a group and express what we need, then we are not going to get it,” said Santa Barbara resident Juanita Chatham.

Details about Sunday’s event can be found here.