Congressional Send-Off demonstration happening tomorrow, Sept. 1

Just a reminder: To ensure our Congressional representatives don't forget about their constituents' support for meaningful healthcare reform, Volunteers For Change-Fresno and a number of other organizations will be hosting a Congressional Send-Off demonstration, scheduled 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Amtrak station in downtown Fresno.

While there is no indication any of our Representatives or Senators have placed the event on their calendars, the intent is to hold a live, positive demonstration reminding our representatives that we support meaningful healthcare reform with a strong public option. As such, participants are invited to bring signs, chants and energy to devote to this effort, and all are invited to wear their Obama campaign 'flair.'

If you attend:

• PARKING UPDATE: We've been able to arrange convenient off-street parking for the Congressional Send-Off rally in the Santa Fe lot immediately south of the gated Amtrak lot. Santa Fe lot parking will cost $3 per car for the event's duration, a rate competitive with metered parking available nearby.
  
  Because the Santa Fe lot will be available, we are asking Send-Off participants NOT to park in the gated Amtrak lot.
  
  
• We'll be packing Rep. Costa's suitcase with information about the benefits his CD-20 constituents will receive when they pass healthcare reform with a strong public option. We'll also be reminding him of the components we're seeking in healthcare reform. Similar information will be shared with Sen. Feinstein.
  
  
• Please also bring personal stories and photographs that we can pack in a suitcase of memories to help our representatives remember why their constituents need them to fight for health reform. V4CF volunteers wearing red baseball caps will be moving through the crowd, collecting personal healthcare stories that will be "packed" for Rep. Costa and Sen. Feinstein at the end of the rally.
  
  
• Participants will be encouraged to show their support for healthcare reform and the public option and they will also be encouraged to support Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Costa when they cast votes for these options.
  
  
• The tone of this event is to be supportive and positive about healthcare reform, not to be negative about the evolving positions of any of our representatives. So please, leave the Lipton, the 'Blue Dog bones' and any other such negative reinforcement at home.

Want to attend? RSVP on Organizing For America's sign-up page. We hope to see you tomorrow!