RED HOOK — Hundreds of supporters marched from Coffey Park in Red Hook to Long Island College Hospital, showing their defiance against the decision to close the hospital, Sunday.
The rally brought together about 500 LICH employees physicians, patients and community members, as well as a number of local elected officials like State Senator Daniel Squadron, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Manhanttan Borough President Scott Stringer, Councilmembers Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, Sara Gonzalez and Letitia James, according to a press release.
“Nothing will stop our movement to keep LICH open – we’re saving lives and putting patients first," said Jill Furillo, registered nurse and executive director of the New York State Nurses Association, in a press release, who organized the event along with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and others.
While the State University of New York voted to close the hospital, March 19, the State Deparment of Health would have to approve it as well.
Plans to shutter LICH have been halted after Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Johnny Lee Baynes issued a restraining order, last week, preventing SUNY and the State Department of Health from closing the hospital until a hearing on May 2.
