PHOTO GALLERY | Mangione supporters demonstrate outside Hollidaysburg courthouse, urge change in health insurance system

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. – Ashlyn Adami wore a green plumber's cap to the doorstep of Luigi Mangione's court hearing Thursday in Hollidaysburg, identical to the hat worn by the Super Mario Brother with the same first name.

But the reason why a "Free Luigi" sign was held above her head was no video game, she said.

The South Bend, Indiana, woman and her husband, Ethan, said they drove for eight hours because Mangione's case is shedding light on the ruthless reality of a U.S. health insurance system that has preyed on sick and struggling people for too long.

Mangione, 26, is accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Dec. 4 in New York City. Investigators allege that Mangione was motivated by anger toward the health insurance system and corporate greed.

"I don't support murder or violence," Adami said as she lifted a sign outside the Blair County Courthouse, "but this was almost inevitable, because people are being pushed to desperate measures. We're here today because this broken system has to be fixed."

Adami's message is personal, she said. She said she was forced to drop out of college and almost committed suicide due to "agonizing" chronic back pain.

She had recommendations from her physician and a surgeon that breast reduction surgery would help provide relief, but was met only with denials and misdirection by her insurance company.

"I had to fight for two years," she said, adding that she was forced to instead try pain medications and useless rehabilitation that one insurer agreed to cover.

"We can't go on with a system that exists solely to put money in the pockets of rich," she said.

Other critics of the U.S. health insurance system have been voicing similar frustrations nationwide – both online and on the streets of Hollidaysburg, where one demonstrator's sign called for "universal health care."

A few dozen supporters of Mangione gathered among rows of cameras and media vehicles that arrived Thursday as reporters covered the high-profile case.

Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks said he didn't fault anyone's right to demonstrate.

"It's their right as Americans," Weeks said. That includes at times when people disagree – "but we should act civilly," he said.

"Violence to make a point," he said, speaking generally, "is never acceptable in our country."

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