CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–June 5, 2015. After nearly 48 hours in police custody, the nine trauma center activists arrested at the University of Chicago on Wednesday have been released. The activists were arrested following a sit-in at the University of Chicago’s administration building, where they were demanding that the UofC open an adult level-one trauma center. All nine are being charged with three misdemeanor charges: trespassing, mob action and resisting arrest. Trauma Care Coalition activists will continue to contest the charges and continue to pressure the UChicago to drop the charges.
Over the past two days, trauma center activists have continued to draw attention to the extreme force used by the UCPD (UChicago’s police force). Although the protestors had said that they would leave peacefully if any of their demands were met, including a demand for a meeting with University president Robert Zimmer this weekend, UofC chose to escalate the situation by breaking through windows and walls to gain access into the building.
This is not the first time that the University of Chicago Police Department have exercised brutal force against our activists. “The violence and impunity of the UCPD is a symptom of the violence and impunity of the whole institution,” said arrested activist Veronica Morris-Moore upon her release, “The U of C reacted with such aggression because they know we are right; the right thing for them to do is open a trauma center, but they don’t want to do it because they don’t value black life.”
Activists affirmed that this will only serve to energize the campaign. “We’re pulling out all the stops for the rest of the weekend,” confirmed released activist Victoria Crider, “It seemed like the U of C were trying to lock us up so we couldn’t be around for their alumni weekend. But this movement has a broad base of support, and we’re not going away.”
The Trauma Care Coalition will continue to put pressure on the University to open up an adult level-one trauma center through this weekend with a large rally at 11.30am on Saturday. “It cannot be business as usual while black people continue to die preventably at U of C’s doorstep,” commented college alumna Gabrielle Newell, “As an alumna of the College, I am appalled by the University’s disregard of their responsibility to the community.”
Activists are continuing to circulate petitions demanding U Chicago drop the charges, arguing that the protestors should not be punished for holding the UofC accountable to the communities it continues to encroach upon.
The community’s demand for trauma care was sparked by the death of Woodlawn youth leader Damian Turner, and is led by the Woodlawn-based Fearless Leading by the Youth, along with the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, Students for Health Equity at the UofC, National Nurses United and many faith groups including the United Church of Christ.
The South Side is currently a trauma desert for adults, meaning that victims of shootings and other serious injuries must be taken over ten miles away, to the Near North Side or south west suburbs. The call for trauma care is also supported by a new study by the Illinois Department of Public Health which states that longer travel times to a trauma center increases the likelihood of dying, the study also states that the U of C is best positioned to expand access to trauma care, and that the U of C could further raise the age limit of their pediatric trauma center.
Source: Trauma Center Coalition
