Vaccine Rights Advocacy Day Held in Albany, NY

Supporters of medical freedom gather to share stories of vaccine injury and fight against vaccine mandates

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:39pm

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, a Vaccine Rights Advocacy Day rally was held in Albany, NY, organized by a coalition of medical freedom advocacy groups. The event focused on sharing first-hand experiences of vaccine injury and opposing efforts by New York Governor Hochul to restrict vaccine exemptions. Speakers included leaders in the medical freedom movement as well as individuals who have suffered vaccine injuries.

Why it matters

The rally highlights the growing tensions around vaccine policies, as some advocate for preserving individual medical freedom while others push for tighter vaccine requirements. The event aims to give a voice to those who believe vaccine injuries are being downplayed or ignored, and to oppose what they see as government overreach on health decisions.

The details

The Vaccine Rights Advocacy Day featured a lineup of speakers, including Mary Holland of Children's Health Defense, Naomi Wolf of Daily Clout, and vaccine-injured individuals like firefighter O'Brian Pastrana. The rally took place on the North Concourse of the Empire State Plaza, just outside the security check for the Legislative and Capitol buildings. Organizers encouraged supporters of medical freedom, vaccine-injured individuals, and advocates for informed consent to attend.

  • The rally was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

The players

Mary Holland

Children's Health Defense

Naomi Wolf

Daily Clout

O'Brian Pastrana

Vaccine-injured firefighter and speaker at the rally

Michael Kane

Children's Health Defense

Governor Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York who is pushing for tighter vaccine requirements

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These injuries are very real and not rare, as the public has been led to believe in recent decades. But our voices will no longer be silenced.”

— Michael Kane, Children's Health Defense

“Whether you're in New York or nearby, threats to medical freedom are brewing in state legislatures throughout the country – and the impact of vaccine injury affects us all.”

— Michael Kane, Children's Health Defense

What’s next

Organizers encouraged supporters to sign the COVID JUSTICE Resolution to further advocate for medical freedom.

The takeaway

This rally demonstrates the ongoing debate around vaccine policies, with some groups fighting to preserve individual choice while others push for stricter requirements. The event gave a platform to those who believe vaccine injuries are being overlooked, underscoring the need for open dialogue and consideration of diverse perspectives on this complex issue.