Community continues push for U of C do its part to lower the homicide rate by opening a trauma center
CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—February 22, 2013. Protesters including mothers of victims of violence, youth, students, alumni and protesters who were arrested by University of Chicago police at a peaceful protest 4 weeks ago will return to the University of Chicago Hospital the day they open their $700M new hospital and then march on to the house of U of C President Zimmer. The group is demanding the University of Chicago do their part to lower the homicide rate by expanding life-saving trauma care and drop the charges on those arrested 4 weeks ago.
Protesters will march to the Hospital (58th and Maryland) with giant petitions, that include over 4000 signatures, demanding the University drop the charges and expand access to trauma care, they will then march to the home of the President of the University (5855 S. University Ave) to deliver the petitions.
“There is a history of racial exclusion and elitism that this new $700M hospital is an example of”, said Veronica Morris-Moore of Fearless Leading by the Youth, the group organizing the protest march. “It’s time the University reverses this sad history and does its part to lower the homicide rate and save the lives of youth of color who are dying at its doors.”
Four weeks ago on January 27 the University of Chicago arrested 4 protesters including a student, alumni, community member and high school student who were peacefully protesting the development of the new $700M Hospital building, calling for expanding access to life saving trauma care. The protesters are demanding the University of Chicago drop the charges before February 26, the court date for those arrested.
The University of Chicago sits in the middle of a gun violence epidemic claiming the lives of dozens of children every year. The University of Chicago Hospital opened The Children’s Comer Hospital in 2006 which has a children’s trauma center but only take children up to age 15. Protesters are demanding that the first step the University of Chicago Hospital can take is to raise the age limit of their children’s trauma center. Children’s Trauma Centers around the country such as Boston Children’s Hospital care for children up to 21.
WHAT: March on Hospital and University of Chicago President’s House
WHEN: Saturday 2/23 – 1pm (march starts), 1:20pm (statement at hospital), 2pm (arrive at President’s house)
WHERE: 60th & Cottage Grove (march starts), 58th & Maryland (statement), 5855 S. University (President’s house)
WHO: Fearless Leading by the Youth, mothers of victims of violence, students, alumni, arrestees from last protest
