How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
Members of the Fealgood Foundation, the 9/11 Police Aid Foundation and their supporters held a rally at Ground Zero calling for the passage of House Resolution 847 yesterday morning. President Barack Obama recently expressed his opposition to the bill that would provide health care assistance to 9/11 responders.
John Feal, president and founder of the Fealgood Foundation, said that the Obama administration's wavering support of the bill is "unacceptable, unforgivable, and un-American."
"It's a huge betrayal," Jennifer McNamara said. Her husband recently died of cancer believed to be caused by working conditions at Ground Zero. "I am here to fight, and continue what my husband started."
Before his death, McNamara's husband had asked her to give his FDNY badge to Obama, but after the president's announcement last week she said she would refuse to do so.
"President Obama, unless he changes his stance on supporting 9/11 responders, will never see that badge. He doesn't deserve it," McNamara said.
Participants at the rally hoped to persuade Obama to reconsider the bill and warned that they would be relentless in their efforts to persuade him.
"We're a reaction to their lack of reaction," Feal said.
"We're not going to rest until this bill is passed," said Gary White, a retired NYPD Squad Commander.
The rally seems to have reached the White House. Shortly after the protest, Obama announced that he would take another look at the proposed bill. He once again expressed immense gratitude toward those who served and said he intends to work with them to ensure that they are cared for.
Organizers of the conference were pleased with these results.
"We sent a message that will resonate in D.C.," Feal said. "And we remain optimistic that the president will do the right thing."
