After those arrested were released from jail, the Poor People's March for Economic Human Rights continued in earnest. Many people came out in support of the marchers, providing beds, showers, food, and other essential supplies.

On Monday, August 25th, there was a press conference discussing the Park Police's decision to dismantle Bushville, and announcing the intent to resurrect the tent city that Thursday.

That afternoon, marchers and DC residents gathered for a Panel on the Right to Health Care. The Panel featured the Just Health Care Campaign of the Labor Party.

The panel discussed how healthcare is in a state of absolute crisis in this country. The overall state of health in the United States is worse than many other countries, despite spending significantly more on healthcare than any other country. Over 40 million people are without any health insurance whatsoever.

Just Health Care is the Labor Party's proposal for national health insurance: a public insurance fund and a private health care system with free choice of doctors, hospitals and clinics. "Whether it is the skyrocketing costs of traditional fee-for-service plans or the poor quality of managed care due to cutbacks in staffing, closing of hospital emergency rooms and denial or delay of needed care, our health is compromised under a profit-driven health care system. As much as 30 cents of every premium dollar is squandered on enormous CEO salaries, shareholder profits, advertising and administration. The Labor Party calls for taking the profit out of health care."

My Padmalingam moderated the panel, which included Mark Dudzick, National Organizer of the Labor Party; Ethel Long-Scott, Executive Director of Women's Economic Agenda Project; Michelle Tingling-Clemmons, leader in the DC Healthcare Now Coalition; Nicole from the Deaf and Deaf-Blind Coalition for Universal Human Rights; and Anjali Taneja from the American Medical Students Association.

On Tuesday, the march focused on the Right to Housing. The Washington, DC-based organization Friends and Residents of Arthur Capper and Carrollsburg led a march demanding the right to housing. Friends and Residents is a group fighting the city's attempts to eliminate affordable housing, and dismantle (to then gentrify) their neighborhood. Click here to see pictures of the march and learn more about their struggle.

Expect more information about the march and resurrection of Bushville, as well as photos from throughout the week soon.