Last Thursday's march to defend health care for working families sent a powerful message to Oakland's top hotels: working families deserve affordable health care, and the hard-working housekeepers and food service workers of Unite Here local 2850 are passionately prepared to fight for their rights.

Minutes before the announced start time, hundreds had already gathered in front of the Oakland Marriott, forming three formidable picket lines. After speeches from union President Wei-Ling Huber and others, the lively crowd  headed up Broadway to Frank Ogawa Plaza. About 500 marchers then heard from Oakland City Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan and Jean Quan, and Coliseum worker Johnny Stake.

The group then proceeded to Morgan Stanley's downtown Oakland Office, housed in the Ordway Building right next to the Cathedral of Christ the Light. (As we reported last week, Morgan Stanley, the Claremont Hotel's majority owner, got $10 billion in taxpayers' bailout funds, yet their management co. is trying to slash hours and benefits at the hotel.)  The Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice  prayed for the workers and led a ritual outside the office tower calling for transformation of such unjust practices, all the while bathed in light from the neighboring Cathedral.

The twilight march offered a number of compelling visuals, and clever slogans were not in short supply either. Case in point: a rhinestone-bedecked "we hella <3 healthcare" banner. (A takeoff on the popular "I hella heart Oakland" slogan.)

Elected officials spotted at the march: In addition to councilmembers Kaplan and Quan, Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington, and newly elected Emeryville Councilmembers Jennifer West and Kurt Brinkman. Oh - and check out the San Francisco Business Times' coverage!

(Photo credit: Brooke Anderson)

Jon Rodney is Communications Manager for the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy. EBASE works to build power and raise standards for the area's working families.