On May 7, 2024, a Medical Freedom Rally took place in Albany, NY.
Below are MFA Member’s, Alan’s, thoughts on the Rally. The event livestream that he refers to is https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/events/back-to-albany-rally-or-may-7/back-to-albany-rally-may-7/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email.
Alan’s Thoughts:
The rally happened at what felt like a turning point in our movement. In the past week, the New York Times ran an article which grudgingly conceded there were in fact vaccine injuries from the Covid shots.
That article wasn’t mentioned at the rally that I can recall, but what did happen was that a Democrat Assemblymember, Jaime Williams, came to speak passionately about medical freedom and vaccine privacy rights, and legislation favorable to us that SHE is sponsoring.
She was warmly received by a crowd of about 200 activists who normally view Democrats as the enemy. This could mark an important turning point away from the awful tribalism that has marked these past 4 years.
Here are some things she said (some quotes in this article are paraphrases):
“I’m here to represent my community and everyone that’s there.
Nowadays, everything is being politicized. Why can’t we be in the MIDDLE, and do the right thing for New Yorkers? Do the right thing for Americans?
Parents have the right to make a decision on behalf of their children. We have to get back to where common sense really lives.
During Covid, you were given an ultimatum: it’s either you take a vaccine, or you don’t have a job. I have a problem with that.
This Bill, 9196, is really, really important. It’s the opportunity for government to do the right thing, and to be able to reinstate the men and women who lost their jobs, BECAUSE of their choice not to be vaccinated.
[Jaime speaking on parental rights]: We have to fight for our rights. [Points to Capitol building] I don’t want YOU who is in your office to be doing the job of making a decision for MY daughter. That’s not your job. That is not your job.”
She memorably posed for a photo with a number of workers fired over the mandates. A DEMOCRAT did this!
Here are some more highlights from the large parade of terrific speakers:
John Gilmore, from Autism Action Network:
“In the last five years, NOT A SINGLE BAD BILL that we have opposed has been passed. Now, we’re getting more and more GOOD bills.”
He went on to outline the many bills soon to come up, both good and bad. He noted that the official description of some bad bills is very deceptive.
Three firemen affected by the vaccine or the mandate came to the stage:
Matt Connor spoke on behalf of a bill that would hold government accountable for vax harm, and another that would restore fired workers.
O’Brian Pastrana spoke of the harms he has suffered due to being coerced into taking the experimental “vaccine”:
“Anaphylactic reaction, myocarditis, and heart failure at the age of 35. The Fire Department, although understanding that this was a result of the vaccine, they basically said ‘You did this to yourself.’”
Another firefighter, Sal [Maido], added:
“We are literally fighting for the soul of our nation.”
Crusading attorney Bobbie Anne Cox gave updates on, first, the quarantine camp rule she has been fighting — and then a newer issue, the so-called Equal Rights Amendment. This provision is attempting to hijack the name of an important piece of social justice legislation from the 1970s, but is instead a move towards LESS parental rights over their kids’ healthcare and LESS respect for biological women.
“This Amendment would really be about taking YOUR rights away from you in the name of SUPPOSED equal rights. It would have a plethora of effects:
You couldn’t discriminate based on sexual identity, gender preference. Women’s sports will cease to exist. Single-sex high schools, bathrooms, locker rooms, will be gone.
The good news: In October, I filed a lawsuit to get the ERA kicked off the ballot. It was supposed to be “Proposition 1” this fall. We filed suit because the Democrats failed to follow the correct procedure.
An hour ago, I got the results from the court, and … WE WON!!
But they will likely appeal.
Stay in the fight! This is a crucial year. Every member of the NY State Legislature is up for re-election.
The Constitution is the voice of the people. The Constitution is US telling the government what they can and cannot do.
We are seeing tyranny. Because they are disregarding the Constitution. Do not let them do that.”
Podcaster Shannon Joy had some choice words:
“We know we’re on the right side of history.
I have two missions in the next seven months: the first is to keep this Medical Freedom community together. We WILL not be destroyed by politics! Not on my watch.
And the second thing is to SHOVE this issue into the national fore, and force our politicians, Left and Right, to acknowledge what was done to humanity and to Americans in 2020 and 2021. And if we can do that, and continue to organize, then we ARE going to see results.”
Michael Kane (of Teachers for Choice), the main organizer of the event, did a great job as Master of Ceremonies. Echoing John Gilmore, he made the point that groups like ours have successfully opposed bad legislation, and gotten it overturned, in recent years.
The event was recorded by the ladies of Cafecito Break, and a Livestream was hosted on the Children’s Health Defense site (skip to about the 24-minute mark where the speeches really begin).
A general theme emerged, of things are turning in a good direction, but we need to keep up the “full court press” and let legislators know how we feel about the proposed bills. Kane and several others headed into the official buildings to deliver info packets to some legislators personally. He made the point that this is the strongest way to appeal to the Senators and Assemblymembers.
The rally ended optimistically with a call to action. Organizers made available some substantial info packets, with bulleted lists, and sample letters which we can use to contact our legislators by whatever method we feel comfortable with.
I had fun in Albany, even though it’s a strange town. It’s almost impossible to buy a newspaper. There are no taxicabs that I saw. And the streets are strangely devoid of people most of the time. But the Capitol building is huge and ornate, and supported by a modern plaza, a massive, truly spectacular, World’s Fair-like, slightly scary display of concrete that would make Ayn Rand blush.
It was interesting to be that close to the seat of power. Even if you don’t like some of the people in those buildings, you do get the impression that you can make yourselves heard, and maybe shape some of the decisions made there (there were at least 2 other demonstrations going on concurrently).
As firefighter O’Brian Pastrana said, “Hopefully we can get some things done by all of us standing together.”
