By Fighting Words Staff
These photographs were taken at a Medicare for All rally held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Historic St. Matthew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. St. Matthew’s Church, founded in 1846, played a significant role in the establishment of the Dunbar Hospital in 1917, the first hospital for African Americans in Detroit. Historic St. Matthew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church celebrated its 180th Anniversary the following day.
The meeting grew out of the renewed push for a national comprehensive single-payer healthcare policy in the United States. Several speakers addressed the healthcare funding crisis from various perspectives.
Speakers were from the Palestine solidarity movement represented by Palestinian activist Huwaida Arraf; Veterans for Peace organizer Steve Friday; Barbara Barefield of Jewish Voice for Peace, Jews for Abdul and Women for Abdul, Frank Hammer, retired UAW Local 909 president and environmentalist who delivered a message from UAW Region 1 Director LeShawn English, and Mary Ann Thorpe, a retired nurse representing S.E. Michigan Coalition for Health Care for All . Kimberly Greene spoke on behalf of the Moratorium NOW! Coalition, the sponsor of the rally.
The speakers discussed the historical and contemporary conditions involving healthcare policy in the United States and the efforts to establish universal medical coverage from the late 19th century through the 21st century.
“Medicare for All” is the guarantee of healthcare, including prescriptions, vision, dental, hearing and long-term care, from cradle to grave — without premiums, copays, or deductibles. That’s it. That simple.
