Sen. Elizabeth Warren. | AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Warren joins thousands in defense of Obamacare in Boston

BOSTON — An overflow crowd of more than 6,000 people filled the area outside of Faneuil Hall on Sunday to protest Republican efforts to roll back the Affordable Care Act.

Subfreezing temperatures and a stubborn wind did not deter the attendees, well-bundled and making muffled claps as they cheered on U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and a laundry list of local, state and federal officials, health care providers and others as they vowed to fight for universal health care.


“We knew these fights were coming, and now the first one is here,” Warren told the crowd, “We will fight them every step of the way.”

The rally — initially intended to be held inside Faneuil Hall, where Massachusetts’ landmark health care law was signed in 2006 — had to be moved outside to accommodate the thousands more attendees than were expected.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and Katherine Clark also rallied the crowd. They pledged to fight Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, saying it would impact millions of Massachusetts residents by taking away insurance, making birth control unaffordable and reducing access to health care providers like Planned Parenthood.

“Congressional Republicans want to 'repeal and run,'” Warren said. “‘Repeal and run’ is reckless and irresponsible. That’s why today we are here to say ... get ready, because you’re going to have a big fight on your hands.”

The Boston rally was one of more than 35 around the country organized by Sen. Bernie Sanders and his political operation remaining from his presidential run. "Bernie Sanders for President" signs, and even a papier-mâché version of the Vermont senator, were at times held aloft in the crowd outside of Faneuil Hall.

“We are making a statement that health care is not a privilege, it’s a right for everybody. It’s a national statement that Massachusetts, Boston and this very special hall has played a very special role in,” said Walsh.

Walsh plans to travel to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with other mayors from around the country, he told the crowd, “not for our inauguration, but to get to work.”

Markey struck a hopeful and defiant tone, playing to the hometown crowd. “Soon we will have our fifth Super Bowl trophy and we will have beaten back the Republican effort to overturn health care," he said. "Because Massachusetts knows how to win.”