On Wednesday, May 21, a somber but powerful act of public witness unfolded in the streets of Anaheim as hundreds gathered for a funeral procession to protest devastating cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) proposed in the federal budget. Among the participants was Rev. Lee Yates, who served as the officiant—bringing a pastoral presence to a public cry for justice.

The procession, held just ahead of a critical congressional vote, aimed to make visible the human cost of nearly $800 billion in proposed cuts to health care. Wearing black and carrying symbolic coffins and tombstones, participants marched alongside a hearse to dramatize the thousands of lives that would be lost if the proposal becomes law. The Center for American Progress estimates that in California alone, 3,481 people could die annually from just one provision of the proposed legislation—57 of them from Representative Young Kim’s district.

Rev. Lee Yates joined people with disabilities, health care workers, families, seniors, and veterans in calling on Rep. Kim (CA-40) to vote NO on these deadly cuts. The event culminated at Kim’s district office in Anaheim, where speakers shared personal stories and urgent appeals for moral courage.

“I’ve been asked to participate as a clergy voice, serving as the officiant in this processional,” Rev. Lee Yates shared in a message before the event. “Thank you to the Covina Community Church folks for encouraging me to be a voice of the Gospel in public spaces. You are an amazing Church!”

We encourage everyone to watch this powerful recap video from the event:
🎥 Watch the Procession on YouTube

As followers of Christ, we are called to stand with the most vulnerable among us. Let us continue to pray, speak, and act with courage, compassion, and justice.