5/10 Aerial Action
On May 6, Luigi turned 27. On May 10, with belated birthday wishes, People Over Profit NYC (POPNYC) called on our community to help push Luigi’s legal defense fund higher and keep amplifying the demand for justice and healthcare for all.
FREE HEALTHCARE — Because Everyone Deserves Access to Life-Saving Care
Health should never be determined by a profit-driven algorithm or denied to protect corporate interests. Healthcare is a human right. We urge you to contact your lawmakers and support the New York Health Act
FREE LUIGI — Because Due Process Is Not Optional
Luigi deserves a fair trial—not trial by media, not political theater, and not state-sanctioned execution. As he faces the gravest of stakes in a deeply politicized case, we ask supporters around the world to donate to his legal fund in support of due process.
Let’s take a stand — for people, not profit.
In solidarity, People Over Profit NYC
#freehealthcare #freeluigi
The FREE HEALTHCARE FREE LUIGI aerial banner with the American flag
Footage of the FREE HEALTHCARE FREE LUIGI aerial banner over New York City
4/25 Protest
On April 25, one week after Luigi Mangione's indictment on federal charges, protesters rallied outside the federal courthouse to demand urgent healthcare reform and highlight concerns over the Attorney General's calls for the death penalty.
Despite being organized on extremely short notice, this action brought dozens of protesters as well as two billboard trucks: one highlighting victims of the health insurance industry, and a second truck focused on advocating against the death penalty.
For the Anti-Death Penalty truck, POPNYC collaborated with an anonymous grassroots group, Behind A Mask (BAM).
In addition to POPNYC, PNHP-NY and Death Penalty Action were present.
At our rally, we demanded justice for victims and accountability of the health insurance industry. Our billboard truck highlights the stories of those who've died as a direct result of denials.
One such victim is Little John Cupp. The Daily Beast covers his story in more detail in their reporting.
If you have a healthcare story to share, please reach out! Let us know if you are comfortable speaking with the media about your experiences, and how we can assist you in getting your voice heard.
POPNYC Billboard Truck:
"No More Deaths By Denials."
Protesters discuss the urgent need for healthcare reform
PNHP-NY had a presence at the protest. See this interview as one of their doctors describes the broken healthcare system that prioritizes profits above patient well-being.
2/21 Protest
On February 21st, during Luigi Mangione’s appearance on NY state charges, protesters rallied outside the Manhattan Courthouse to demand urgent healthcare reform and highlight concerns over the handling of Luigi Mangione’s case. PoPNYC asked protesters to wear #green4Luigi in a show of solidarity.
Luigi Mangione appears in court, wearing green in solidarity with his supporters
Supporters hold banners with the words "HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT" & "FREE LUIGI"
Volunteers arrived early outside the courthouse at 11:00am to make signs, sew banners, and distribute extra green shirts. Media was already gathered on the sidewalk, filming and interviewing protesters. Over a hundred people were also gathered inside the courthouse, hoping for a seat at the 2:15pm hearing. Only 19 members of the public were permitted to enter. Police cleared the remaining people from the halls.
At the rally outside, people chanted slogans such as "Stop denials with AI! How many people have to die?" and "One struggle, one fight! Healthcare is a human right!"
During the rally, billboard trucks circled the courthouse (see more on our Billboard Project page). Our large LED truck featured the words "NO MORE DEATH BY DENIAL" accompanying pictures of those killed by the insurance industry. The QR code on this truck linked to our healthcare page.
The "DEATH BY DENIALS" truck featured people who died due to health insurance denials
After the rally ended, the trucks drove through NYC, including Times Square.
As the rally continued, crowds erupted into chants, including, "No more deaths by denial! Put the system on trial!" "Corporate greed we must fight, healthcare is a human right!" and "We, the people, want Luigi free! Who's the real terrorist? UHC!"
The shouts of the crowd broke into loud cheering every time one of the billboard trucks circled past. These cheers could be heard in the courtroom and on livestreams.
Crowds chant, "We, the people, want Luigi free!"
POPNYC volunteers went through the crowd asking protesters to sign up for one or more calls to action. Three of these calls to action came from PNHP-NY, a healthcare organization that also organized their members to rally. The other focused on Luigi Mangione's legal fund. The calls to action included:
- Write to lawmakers about passing the NY Health Act
- Sign up for lobby day
- Join a coast-to-coast group organizing around public health
- Donate to Luigi Mangione's legal fund with a message about why this matters
People who completed a call to action were entered into a raffle to win a free Luigi plush as a way to encourage more involvement in activism and making change.
A PoPNYC volunteer raises the Luigi plush during a chant to "Free Luigi!"
Around 3:30pm, after the court proceedings finished and the press conference outside concluded, POPNYC volunteers drew the raffle for the winner, ending the rally by giving away the free Luigi. The billboard trucks were sent to carry their messages through the busiest parts of NYC.
We want to thank every single person who attended. Thank you for standing up for justice, for human rights, and for every American’s access to healthcare. This is only the beginning of a long fight, but together, our collective action will create change. We will continue to demand a system that centers the health and wellbeing of its people, not the profits of billion-dollar corporations. And as we chanted at the courthouse, our voices ringing out loud and clear: We, the people, want Luigi free.