Indivisible Colusa speaks out behind Affordable Care Act

Aug. 02--They may have been small in number, but their voices rang loud and clear; members of Indivisible Colusa gathered in front of the courthouse last week to protest lawmakers repealing or changing the Affordable Care Act -- also known as Obamacare.

Three members of the grassroots movement dropped everything to organize the protest on July 25 after it was announced Congress would consider voting on whether to modify or oust the social service.

"We have a light, but passionate turnout," said Erik Kolderup, member of Indivisible Colusa. "I felt it was important to do this because of the Senate's vote to debate appealing the Affordable Care Act. We feel it would be a tragedy, and we're trying to share our feelings with our Colusa neighbors."

According to the White House website, the Affordable Care Act gave millions of Americans the opportunity to have health insurance the first year it went into effect. Members of Indivisible Colusa said they wanted to encourage people to start thinking about how the Affordable Care Act has impacted themselves, or people they're close to.

"I have family members that are going to be in need of it," said Dianne Terwilliger, an Indivisible Colusa member. "Our premiums would skyrocket if Obamacare gets taken away."

The activist group received feedback from people on both sides of the issue; occasionally people would stop by to chat with the protesters, but others made their feelings known while driving past.

"We can see on the faces of people driving by that they don't agree, but we also know there are people who support this," said Jen Roberts, member of Indivisible Colusa.

One passerby who stopped to chat with the group said he was worried about losing access to health care; the man, who calls himself "Cowboy," said he was homeless and often sleeps in Colusa's riverfront park. He said he was bitten by a rattlesnake a few months ago, and attempted to treat it himself instead of risking an expensive medical bill.

"I bled myself and slept it off," he said. "I'm still here, so I'm doing OK. But I am worried about other folks who don't have health care."

In addition to local demonstrations, members of Indivisible Colusa attend events with other "Indivisible" chapters in the region. Earlier this year, they hosted a town hall with Congressman John Garamendi; they hope to organize more events with local lawmakers and politicians.

To find more information about these events, visit indivisiblecolusa.com.

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