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Westbury, NY. January 2017. NY congresswoman Kathleen Rice speaks at Our First Stand Rally

Our First Stand: Save Health Care, with Reps. Kathleen Rice & Tom Suozzi

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
January 17, 20217

Last Sunday, during the Our First Stand: Save Health Care Rally in Westbury, hundreds of protestors gathered – many with signs and banners, political buttons and shirts – to make their healthcare coverage positions and worries clear.

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. LI Activists group members bring a large banner and signs, and one wears

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. LI Activists group members bring a large banner and signs, and one wears “FEEL THE BERN” T-shirt to the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Representatives KATHLEEN RICE (D-NY4) and TOM SUOZZI (D-NY3) hosted the rally, which was held at the Yes We Can Community Center. It was one of several dozen Our First Stand rallies inspired by Senator Bernie Sanders throughout our country.

Westbury, New York, USA. January 15, 2017. Sitting in wheelchair, PEARL BERGER, 97, of Amityville, who has breast cancer and Parkinson's Disease, has an "I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD" pink shirt draped on her chest, at the "Our First Stand" Rally against Republicans repealing the Affordable Care Act, ACA, taking millions of people off health insurance, making massive cuts to Medicaid, and defunding Planned Parenthood. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. Sitting in wheelchair, PEARL BERGER, 97, of Amityville, who has breast cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, has an “I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD” pink shirt draped on her chest, at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Speakers included officials from Nurses Association and Planned Parenthood, a young woman who underwent life & death cancer treatments, and a father whose young son needs continuing expensive medical care.

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. BRIDGIT SQUITIRE, of West Islip, holds a sign that asks:

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. BRIDGIT SQUITIRE, of West Islip, holds a sign that asks: “HEY DONALD, ARE YOU GONNA PAY FOR MY CHEMO-THERAPY?” at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The audience frequently clapped and shouted in support as each speaker shared how current health care benefits helped, and what the anticipated consequences were of repealing the Affordable Care Act, taking millions off health insurance, making massive cuts to Medicaid, or defunding Planned Parenthood.

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, KARLA BRADLEY, of Hempstead, and NIA ADAMS, of Hempstead, are wearing pink

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, KARLA BRADLEY, of Hempstead, and NIA ADAMS, of Hempstead, are wearing pink “I Stand with Planned Parenthood” T-shirts, and Adams holds sign “We want Care not CHAOS” at the “Our First Stand” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. ABAGAEL FAGAN, of Garden City, holds a sign

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. ABAGAEL FAGAN, of Garden City, holds a sign “Even VOLDEMORT Didn’t Defund St. Mungo’s” – referring to the main villain wizard and Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in the Harry Potter series – at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Westbury, New York, USA. January 15, 2017. L-R, Rabbi JUDITH COHEN-ROSENBERG, of Westbury; and KASSANDRA POLANCO of Massapequa, and CHERYL SCHRUEFER, of Hicksville, wear pink shirts and/or buttons and hold pink

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, Rabbi JUDITH COHEN-ROSENBERG, of Westbury; and KASSANDRA POLANCO of Massapequa, and CHERYL SCHRUEFER, of Hicksville, wear pink shirts and/or buttons and hold “I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD” signs at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, RON MOTTA and his son ROBBY MOTTA, 11, who has major health care needs, of Huntington; Rep. KATHLEEN RICE; Rep. THOMAS SUOZZI; brunette cancer survivor; JUDI BOSWORTH, Supervisor Town of North Hempstead; and other speakers on stage wave to audience at end of

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, RON MOTTA and his son ROBBY MOTTA, 11, who has major health care needs, of Huntington; Rep. KATHLEEN RICE; Rep. THOMAS SUOZZI; brunette cancer survivor; JUDI BOSWORTH, Supervisor Town of North Hempstead; and other speakers on stage wave to audience at end of “Our First Stand Save Health Care” Rally. (© 20217 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Our First Rally: Save Health Care:  GALLERY

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U.S. Presidential Inauguration Parade 2017

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2016

Yesterday, I read the exciting news that Long Island’s own Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums will participate in the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2017.

Originally known as “Fir Na Tine” (Gaelic: Men of Fire), it’s America’s first Volunteer Firefighter Pipe Band, and has performed widely, including at St. Patrick’s Day parades, at halftime shows for NY Jets, and band members were the 11 Pipers Piping in a Christmas commercial.

[NOTE: background tent digitally altered blue]

East Meadow, NY, USA. March 31, 2012. [NOTE: background tent digitally altered blue ]Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums band performs at firefighter Ray Pfeifer Benefit. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Also, Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums has been an inspiring, stirring part of many memorials and benefits. In spring 2012, I covered the band when it played at the Ray Pfeifer Benefit at the East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall. Retired FDNY firefighter and Hicksville resident Ray Pfeifer is a true profile in courage, perseverance, and brotherhood.

FYI From Long Island: After the 9/11/2001 Twin Towers terrorist attacks, Ray Pfeifer helped recovery efforts at Ground Zero, and by 2008 was battling cancer. Pfeifer – along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, Representatives Peter King and Carolyn Maloney, and others – helped make sure the 2010 James Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act was eventually extended to 2090, establishing the “World Trade Center Health Program.”

Fund raiser for firefighter Ray Pfeifer on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall, New York, USA. The Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums band performed. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

East Meadow, New York, USA. March 31, 2012. The Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums band performing at Ray Pfeifer Benefit. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band participates in the Inauguration Parade in a few weeks, it will be continuing its mission of proudly representing the Nassau County Fire Service.

To help the band reach its $10,000 goal to cover transportation & lodging costs for its 40+ members, the band manager created and runs a gofundme fundraiser: “Presidential Inauguration Parade” for the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums.

  • Photo Video of Ray Pfeifer Fundraiser, with Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums music:

And I send sincere thanks to Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums, esp. Band Manager Alan Jacoby, for permission to use their music in above photo video of 2012 Firefighter Ray Pfeifer Benefit.

  • UPDATE 1/18/2107:  $17K+ of revised $20K goal has been raised by band’s gofundme campaign.  [NOTE: This post’s link to band’s gofundme page removed after end of 2017.]

Band’s official site: Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums

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Hofstra Debate 2016 Event with David Axelrod

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 14, 2016

Yesterday, DAVID AXELROD was the Signature Debate Speaker on “The Evolving Media and Political Landscape” – a Debate 2016 event at Hofstra University, which is hosting the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump later this month, on September 26.

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. DAVID AXELROD, CNN Senior Political Commentator and Democratic strategist who served as Obama Senior Advisor, is the Signature Debate Speaker on The Evolving Media and Political Landscape, at Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate, between H.R. Clinton and D. J. T., scheduled for later that month on September 26. Hofstra is first university ever selected for 3 consecutive U.S. presidential debates; Hofstra; university; universities; college; colleges (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. DAVID AXELROD is the Signature Debate Speaker on The Evolving Media and Political Landscape, at Hofstra University, which will host the 1st Presidential Debate later that month.  (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Axelrod, a former senior advisor for President Obama and current senior political commentator for CNN, devoted time after his prepared remarks to answer questions from audience members.

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner, in patriotic red white and blue, is one of many displayed on the campus of Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate, between H.R. Clinton and D. J. T., scheduled for later that month on September 26. Hofstra is first university ever selected for 3 consecutive U.S. presidential debates. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner on South Campus at Hofstra University, which will host first Presidential Debate on Sept. 26. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My favorite Q&A exchange began when a student referred to Axelrod’s advice to vote for one of the two major party candidates, rather than casting a statement vote for a candidate with no realistic chance of winning. The student then said he did not want to vote for either the Democrat or Republican nominee and indeed would vote for a 3rd party candidate.

So Axelrod gave an example of when protest votes for a 3rd party candidate may have affected the outcome of the election:

‘In the 2000 presidential race in the pivotal state of Florida, Green Party nominee Ralph Nader received over 97,000 votes, and Democrat Al Gore received just 537 fewer votes than Republican George W Bush, who won the presidency.’

Unswayed, the student once again said he’d be voting for a 3rd party candidate.

Axelrod began to say something, then abruptly stopped, glanced up and then back at the student, and asked if he was from New York. When the student said yes he was, Axelrod cheerfully told him to go and vote away. The student smiled as he returned to his seat; the audience clapped.

FYI from LI: The most recent Republican presidential candidate to win New York was Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner - tall vertical in patriotic red white and blue - is one of many displayed on the campus of Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate, between H.R. Clinton and D. J. T., scheduled for later that month on September 26. A high-rise residence hall is at right, also in North Campus. Hofstra is first university ever selected for 3 consecutive U.S. presidential debates. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner is one of many displayed on the campus of Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate on Sept. 26. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hofstra will be the first ever university to host three consecutive U.S. presidential debates.

ALL Hofstra Debate 2016 events, unless otherwise noted on Hofstra’s site, are free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended.

Hofstra Debate 2016 event David Axelrod:  GALLERY

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