On Saturday, several hundred citizens affected by Hurricane Sandy, healthcare professionals, activists, and members of Occupy Sandy relief effort participated in a rally and march near Fifth Avenue and East 79th Street to protest what organizers said was a lack of care and concern by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Two months after Superstorm Sandy the disaster is not over and relief needs are still great. Homes are uninhabitable with black mold taking hold, heat and sanitation are still absent in many places. Yet the government response has been glaringly absent. As with Katrina and other recent disaster-and-recovery events city, state and federal agencies have handed off reconstruction resources and responsibility to corporations and markets.

Hospitals that were evacuated due to hurricane damage have not reopened. Healthcare professionals describe conditions that could lead to a public healthcare crisis. Yet, rally participants kept asking, "Where is Mayor Bloomberg?" "Where is FEMA?"

For more information about Occupy Sandy and current lists of urgent needs for the recovery or to make much needed donations, please visit:
http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/