BADGE FOR ENTRY—Members of the Conejo Valley Democratic Club fill out name tags to gain entry to a meeting at the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library on Aug.12. A national healthcare plan was the topic. Opponents of the plan gathered outside and had their own gathering. Hundreds of people were shut out and one man was led away in handcuffs on Aug. 12 when the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley held a club meeting to discuss healthcare reform.

A meeting room at the Thousand Oaks Library was filled to capacity with about 270 club members. Almost as many nonmembers waited in line outside hoping for a seat.

The people who couldn’t get inside—mostly Republicans— listened to three doctors who stood on a bench and spoke against President Obama’s plans for public option healthcare.

A ruckus began as a 6foot3-inch, 228-pound man moved toward the impromptu soapbox presentation. Grant Marcus, a 59-year-old Ventura resident, was grabbed by plainclothes police officers and arrested on charges of battery and interfering with a peace officer.

DISCUSSION OVER HEALTHCARE GETS CONTENTIOUS–Grant Marcus, 59, is handcuffed before being taken to East County Sheriff’s Station. He allegedly pushed a doctor who was speaking to a crowd outside the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library in Thousand Oaks last Wednesday. According to Ventura County Superior Court records, Marcus’ past convictions include not wearing a seat belt and jaywalking.

As soon as he was taken away, the doctors began speaking again, standing on a bench under a tree on a cool evening as the sun went down.

“The government wants to tell you when I can see you,” said Dr. Glenn Cohen, a Thousand Oaks orthopedic surgeon.

He said that under proposed healthcare legislation, his 85year-old mother wouldn’t get treated for breast cancer, but a “40-year-old illegal immigrant” would.

Dr. David Rosenfeld, a Simi Valley surgeon, was one of those outside the library. He said he wanted people to understand that he agreed the healthcare system was broken but didn’t think President Obama, who he said is a brilliant man, had the right answer to fix it.

“Medical professionals are some of the smartest people in the world; let us come together and fix it,” Rosenfeld said.

Debbie Birenbaum, the Democratic Club president, came out to collect contact information from those who were unable to get inside so she could notify them of another meeting they could attend.

“I feel bad that people didn’t get in. These are my neighbors,” Birenbaum said.

Inside, the warm room was packed as four speakers organized by the Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles spoke.

Don Schroeder told a story about his wife’s leg being crushed when a shopping cart full of bricks fell over on top of her.

His wife was taken to the nearest hospital by ambulance, but no doctor on staff would operate on her because the Schroeders’ insurance didn’t pay enough, he said. She eventually was taken to another hospital, where a doctor willing to take the payment did a poor job of treating her.

“It could happen to anyone. It could happen to you,” he said.

“With . . . single-pay healthcare, a doctor will always be there for you,” said Dr. Susie Baldwin of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health.

“What we have now is immoral,” Baldwin said.

To see a video report on the event, visit www.theacorn.com and click on “Democracy in Action” just below the directory.