State Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Cedar Rapids, speaks during a demonstration Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

By Cindy Hadish

CEDAR RAPIDS – Hundreds of protesters stood through a cold and cloudy Sunday afternoon in downtown Cedar Rapids to voice opposition to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Speakers noted how having health care coverage under the act had improved their lives and even saved their life in some cases.

A demonstrator holds a sign in support of the Affordable Care Act during a rally in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Republicans in Congress began the process last week of repealing the Affordable Care Act, without having a replacement ready for the more than 20 million Americans who were able to obtain health insurance under the legislation, commonly referred to as Obamacare.

Carrying signs and chanting “show me what democracy looks like; this is what democracy looks like,” demonstrators gathered first at the office of U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, and then on the steps of the federal building, where U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has an office. Both are Republicans who support repealing the law.

State Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Cedar Rapids, stood on a bench in front of Blum’s office to encourage Iowans to stay involved, even though Iowa’s house, senate and governor’s office are all controlled by Republican majorities.

“If we don’t have a vote, we need a voice,” she said.

State Rep. Liz Bennett, D-Cedar Rapids, speaks Jan. 15, 2017, during a protest of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

State Rep. Liz Bennett, D-Cedar Rapids, echoed Mathis and attacked Gov. Terry Branstad’s record in “running roughshod” over people in need.

“Here in Iowa, we have a governor who thinks he’s king,” she said, adding that “health care is not really a partisan issue.”

Other gatherings are planned in the days surrounding the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, including an event Saturday, Jan. 21, beginning at 9 a.m. outside of the Planned Parenthood office, 3425 First Ave. SE, in Cedar Rapids.

See photos of previous demonstrations against Donald Trump last summer  and last winter and more from today’s protest, below.

Demonstrators hold signs on the steps of the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to oppose repeal of the Affordable Care Act. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

A crowd listens as State Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Cedar Rapids, speaks at the rally on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Demonstrators gathered in front of the Cedar Rapids office of U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, a Republican who supports repealing the Affordable Care Act. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Iowans joined other demonstrators across the country to voice opposition to repealing the Affordable Care Act, including at this gathering on the steps of the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

University of Iowa law student, Erick Orantes, speaks Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, during a demonstration on the steps of the federal building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Hundreds of people joined together outside of the Cedar Rapids office of U.S. Rep. Rod Blum to protest the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Blum supports the repeal. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Demonstrators carried signs calling on U.S. Rep. Rod Blum to keep health care for Americans covered under the Affordable Care Act. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Some of the crowd marched through downtown Cedar Rapids after the rally on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

A crowd gathers on the steps of the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to support the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Several speakers called on legislators to keep the Affordable Care Act to save lives of people who were able to obtain health coverage under the law. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

A demonstrator carries a sign during a protest Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)