Single payer activists picketed against Whole Foods stores around the country today.

Activists from Single Payer Action urged shoppers to boycott Whole Foods stores in Austin, Texas, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

At the P Street Whole Foods store in Washington, D.C., more than 15 protesters handed out leaflets informing customers of Whole Foods CEO John Mackey’s right wing stance against national health insurance, against unions, and against cracking down on corporate crime.

Mackey penned a piece in the Wall Street Journal last week arguing against national health insurance.

“I always come here to get food,” said Carol Kramer, a single payer activist who was protesting at the Washington, D.C. store. “It’s good food, so I am hurt by the boycott like others are, but it’s worth it.”

“Mackey is using his position as a representative of an organization that attracts a lot of liberals in order to move us in the wrong direction,” Kramer said. “I feel betrayed.”

Laura Jackson was in town from Virginia Beach, Virginia and joined the protest.

“It appears that Mackey is supporting the health insurance companies in furtherance of a system that is not working,” Jackson said. “There are many people suffering and many without health insurance.”

Adrienne Pine, an assistant professor of anthropology at American University, also joined the boycott of Whole Foods.

“I’m disgusted with the CEO of Whole Foods attack on his workers, attack on health care, and his attack on Americans,” Pine said.

“Single payer is the only system that will allow us to have guaranteed health care.”

Pine said that up until the Mackey’s piece in the Wall Street Journal, she had been a Whole Foods customer.

“I will not be a Whole Foods customer after this,” Pine said. “It crossed the line for me. I had heard about bad labor practices before. This editorial that John Mackey wrote crossed the line for me.”

When will she go back to Whole Foods?

“It would take a reversal of Mackey’s labor practices and his stance on health care – an apology to the American people,” Pine said.