Health care reform celebratedSantiago Esparza / The Detroit News
Detroit -- A crowd of at least 300, many holding signs emblazoned with "Yes We Did," packed New St. Paul Tabernacle Church on Saturday to celebrate health care reform in America.
With the crowd shouting "Barack Obama" in unison at one point to show their support of the president, they promised to back him and support Democrats facing midterm elections in November as a show of thanks for the party pushing for the bills.
"There is a lot to celebrate," said Ernest Johnson, a community activist and executive assistant in Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano's office. "We made history."
The rally was hosted by radio personality Mildred Gaddis of WCHB-AM (1200) and featured religious leaders, politicians and community leaders.
The celebration comes days after the passage of health care reform bills in Washington aimed at cracking down on insurance industry abuses, and to reduce federal deficits by an estimated $143 billion over a decade. But as result, most Americans will be required to buy insurance for the first time, and face penalties if they refuse, which has sparked outrage throughout the country.
Republicans have since promised "repeal and replace" efforts to weaken the reform's impact.
On Saturday, Ficano told the crowd that detractors of the bill, particularly Republicans, were against it for political reasons.
"They are worried that (supporters of the bill) are going to remember who gave them health care," Ficano said as the crowd applauded. "That is what they are afraid of."
The event had the tone of a religious celebration with singers performing between speakers, and those who addressed the crowd often brought supporters to their feet clapping and cheering.
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