SAN FRANCISCO — On the first day of the J.P Morgan Healthcare Conference, a small crowd of demonstrators gathered on a corner of Union Square just opposite of the conference’s main venue, the Westin St. Francis hotel.
It was a varied crew — musicians, health care workers, teachers, and others. Steve Zeltzer, a labor journalist and organizer, spoke before the group and held a sign saying, “No more Deny, Delay, Depose,” alluding to words inscribed on the bullet casings found when former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed last month in New York City.
While most at the demonstration played music or chanted slogans, one protester crossed the street and bellowed slogans and expletives at JPM attendees coming in and out of the conference. Spit from his mouth glittered in the brisk Northern California air. He remained behind a small barricade in front of the hotel entrance, and attendees and conference security watched him with surprise and curiosity.
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