Eleven Activists Arrested Protesting Insurance Giant Cigna in Newton

On Tuesday, September 22, health care activists protested and rallied in front of the Massachusetts offices of Cigna, one of the largest national health insurance companies. Their demands were simple: they wanted Cigna executives to sign a pledge stating that the company would cease practices that deny coverage to Cigna customers. Such denials have resulted in personal bankruptcies, prolonged illness, and death for many people across the country. No one at Cigna signed the pledge. On Thursday, October 15, those activists returned in force to find out why.

The protesters spilled over the sidewalk in front of the Cigna offices, chanting and waving signs to the many cars passing by honking their support. The stories of real people who had lost loved ones due to Cigna’s criminal policies were heard while protesters “died” on the sidewalk. Finally, a delegation of eleven activists came together, determined to walk into the Cigna offices and hand-deliver their demands again. A full police detail was waiting for them, and asked the group to turn around or be arrested for trespassing. In an act of civil disobedience, the group refused to leave without having delivered the pledge to Cigna executives. They were handcuffed and lead to police cruisers. Protesters on the street cheered their support for the arrested activists as they were driven out of the parking lot and to the police station. After over six hours in custody, the eleven were released on bail. Among those arrested include Andrei Joseph, executive board member of the Massachusetts Teacher Association, Benjamin Day, executive director of Mass-Care, and Joy Depina, organizer with Health Care for America Now.

As the insurance industry continues to spend tens of millions of dollars in its campaign to kill health care reform, grassroots activists are taking direct action to fight back. This act of civil disobedience is one of many taking place all across the country, and until big insurance steps back to allow elected officials serve the needs of their constituents, the response from activists will continue to escalate.

Jake Williams is a Massachusetts Jobs with Justice staff person.