Police elect to arrest Hawkins when candidate turns protester

Syracuse Post-Standard
James T. Mulder
2009 November 5th

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Community activist Howie Hawkins was arrested this afternoon in downtown Syracuse during a non-violent demonstration supporting the creation of a public-funded national health care system that would cover everyone, according to Briggs Seekins, according to an organizer.

Hawkins, who ran unsuccessfully for a Syracuse Common Council seat in Tuesday’s election, was arrested by Syracuse police outside the office of National Government Services at 400 S. Salina St., said Briggs Seekins, one of the protest organizers. NGS is a Medicare claims processing operation owned by Wellpoint Inc., a large health insurer.

The action was organized by members of Single Payer New York and the local chapter of Physicians for a National Health Plan. It was part of a wave of non-violent protest and civil disobedience coordinated by Mobilization for Healthcare for All.

More than 800 people have already been arrested or signed up to be arrested for performing sit-ins in the lobbies of health care offices across the country.

Seekins said the demonstration targeted the Wellpoint operation because protesters believe the company spends too much money on lobbying and salaries and not enough on care.