October 2, 2025
Deb Freeman, NVM, [email protected], 757-452-1143
Union Members and Community Allies to Peacefully Protest Winsome Earle-Sears’ Support for Law Stripping Health Care from 350,000 Virginians
Members from SEIU Virginia, New Virginia Majority, and the Committee to Protect Healthcare to protest Winsome Earle-Sears and John Reid’s campaign event with Moms for Liberty in Fairfax.
Fairfax, Va: On Friday, October 3, beginning at 6 p.m. Fairfax community members, including SEIU Virginia care workers, will gather outside the Stacy C Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd) and peacefully protest Republican cuts to health care that are expected to strip healthcare from more than 350,000 Virginians. The cuts, which were led and passed by GOP lawmakers, have already led to the closure of three rural health clinics in Virginia with additional health centers at risk of closure. According to an analysis from KFF, 350,000 Virginians are expected to lose their health care as a result of the Big Ugly Bill’s cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. The peaceful protest will take place outside of Lt. Governor Earle Sears and John Reid’s campaign event with far-right group, Moms for Liberty.
Republican candidates vying for top leadership positions in Virginia have indicated support for the “Big Ugly Bill.” Winsome Earle-Sears has publicly supported this bill, saying it “does so many great things” and advised Virginians “don’t panic” when asked about the threat that the cuts present to rural hospitals. John Reid, Republican candidate running to be Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, has said “I don’t believe” that hundreds of thousands of Virginians will lose their health care, while as a state legislator Miyares, who’s running to remain Virginia’s Attorney General, voted against expanding Medicaid in the first place.
“Lt Governor Winsome Sears is trying to stoke culture wars instead of addressing issues Virginians are facing. We won’t be distracted from the fact that she supports the bill that’s going to take healthcare from 350,000 Virginians,” said Patti Nelson, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU Virginia 512 and a retired Psychiatric Nurse. “We need leaders focused on addressing issues that are impacting working people, not someone who’s trying to divide us. Time and time again, Sears shows us she has no plan on how to improve the lives of everyday Virginians."
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