A rally and march in downtown Anchorage Saturday morning, planned to encourage Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski to "stay strong" on opposing the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, got a new message at the end of this week: "Thank you."

Early Friday morning, Murkowski joined fellow Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and John McCain of Arizona in voting against a Republican-led repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. Her vote delighted progressive activists in Alaska who opposed the Republican health care legislation, most recently referred to as "skinny repeal."

On Saturday in Town Square Park, about 200 people showed up for a rally, according to organizer Kokayi Nosakhere.

"Thank you!" Nosakhere shouted at the crowd through a megaphone.

"Lisa!" the crowd shouted back.

Soon the group was marching down Fifth Avenue to Murkowski's Anchorage office.

Many carried signs expressing gratitude at Murkowski's "no" vote. Cynthia Parkin, 50, carried a sign that said "R=Resist," a reference to Murkowski as a Republican.