Protesters, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio arrested at Long Island College Hospital Rally at SUNY Midtown office
BROOKLYN - A group of 15 people was arrested for civil disobedience today after they blocked the doors of SUNY’s Midtown office in protest of the potential closure of Long Island College Hospital.
Among those arrested was Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill DiBlasio and Brooklyn Councilman Steve Levin.
The protest is part of a long battle with SUNY Downstate and workers who say SUNY is diverting ambulances and cutting staff at LICH.
SUNY Downstate says it was forced to stop ambulances from bringing patients to LICH because it lost too much staff to adequately serve patients. Nurses and Brooklyn residents who were arrested today say that SUNY is playing a dangerous game and putting people's lives at stake.
SUNY Downstate is expected in court on July 15 for a contempt hearing, where it will be determined whether or not it has violated two restraining orders, calling on the hospital to remain open and fully staffed.
Among those arrested was Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill DiBlasio and Brooklyn Councilman Steve Levin.
The protest is part of a long battle with SUNY Downstate and workers who say SUNY is diverting ambulances and cutting staff at LICH.
SUNY Downstate says it was forced to stop ambulances from bringing patients to LICH because it lost too much staff to adequately serve patients. Nurses and Brooklyn residents who were arrested today say that SUNY is playing a dangerous game and putting people's lives at stake.
SUNY Downstate is expected in court on July 15 for a contempt hearing, where it will be determined whether or not it has violated two restraining orders, calling on the hospital to remain open and fully staffed.
*Update: during this Rally the CHA's Jeff Strabone was also arrested. The following day at another rally to #SaveLICH Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and local activists Dorothy Seigel and Peter Sakora were also arrested.
1 comment:
How has SUNY received another prize from Albany???
Yes, over 400mm in payments to be spread over the next 4yrs. This is the cost of the SUNY DOWNSTATE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN FOR UHB. The plan submitted to Governor Cuomo and presented by SUNY on June 4, 2013 in Albany. There is no guarantee LICH will remain open.
This is the same mgt team and consultants that failed to submit a Business Plan to operate LICH on or before the acquisition of LICH, as reported by DiNapoli, NYS Comptroller earlier this year.
Public Trust has been violated by SUNY. NYS Supreme Court Judge Carolyn Demarast has signed an order requesting full accountability on August 5, 2013 by SUNY to include a 140mm loan from the Othmer Trust.
A healthcare crisis exists in our community. We need your help.
Call Governor Cuomo tell him to OPEN OUR HOSPITAL: 518-474-8390
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