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The way I see it, we got pretty good coverage from the Star Tribune of our protest of United Health Group on the day of their annual shareholders meeting, June 2. (see attachment) The article was found on page one of the business section, however, which is neglected by some readers.
I feel the need to add a footnote to the information in the article. The protest began before 9 AM. For the next two hours we protested peacefully on the sidewalk some 150 feet from the nearest corner of the United Health Group Building. During that time we were denied permission to present our suggestions to the shareholders inside the building. At about 11 AM or so, when the shareholders meeting was ending and when the protesters were also beginning to call it quits, the security officers told us that we would no longer be allowed to protest on the sidewalk where we had been protesting for more than two hours. They told us that there was some other place on the other side of the building (farther away) where we could protest. I decided to stay, and continue to hold a sign that promoted single payer type health care for human need, not corporate greed, which I did for 10 or 15 minutes. The police were called in. The police said that I would have to quit holding my sign where I was located on the sidewalk, or be arrested. I said that I had the right to be there on this public sidewalk. They said that the sidewalk was not a public sidewalk but was the property of United Health Group. I said that I was not so sure about that (The sidewalk was right next to the street). "In any case", I said, "This is an unreasonable request. We are not a threat to anyone. We are just exercising free speech." They told me that if I didn't leave, I would be arrested. I didn't leave and was arrested. The short story, from there on is that I was transported to downtown Minneapolis, and spent nearly 6 hours in the county jail, before getting out on $50 bail. I was charged with two misdemeanors - Trespass and disobeying a lawful order. I am ordered to appear at the Ridgedale Court at 8:15 AM, Tuesday, June 16 (two weeks from now).
Viva Single Payer Health Care
Roger Cuthbertson
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