http://watclosingstvincentshospital.blogspot.com/

1/8/11 - The Hedz-Up Report covers the first meeting of newly-formed activist group, Hands Off St. Vincent's!, as they conduct their first community civil disobedience training and action planning workshop.

More to come, stay tuned.

In the meantime, visit our video blog, "Why Are They Closing St. Vincent's Hospital?" for our collected reports and future updates:

http://watclosingstvincentshospital.blogspot.com/

Thanks for watching, help spread the word.


Below is HOSV!'s press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Iana Di Bona, 718 309-8598, iana.dibona@gmail.com

Hands off St. Vincent's! A Community Rallies to Reclaim their Hospital

New York, NY - In April 2010, after 160 years of service to the people of New York City, St. Vincent's closed directly due unconscionable government and private industry failures. As a result, people are dying, emergency rooms at other hospitals are overflowing with the influx of patients, local businesses are hurting from the loss of business St. Vincent's provided and 3,500 people have lost their jobs.

Hands off St. Vincent's is a group of New Yorkers who have made an unwavering commitment to fight through non-violent direct action (including civil disobedience) for a New Village Hospital that provides equal services to what was provided at St. Vincent's Hospital.

"This closing is devastating, like a death", says Angela Jones, a Greenwich Village resident and former St. Vincent's emergency room volunteer. "We're all angry and we want our hospital back!"

The group has promised to take direct action against those who work against the establishment of a New Village Hospital or are inactive in this restoration. The list of targets includes elected officials (or government agencies), developers, purchasers, judges, etc.

"We will not waiver from our goal whatsoever", says activist and fellow Greenwich Village resident Timothy Lunceford, "Anyone who stands in our way can and will be a target. The only acceptable resolution would be the revival of our hospital. Stand in our way and you will feel the might of our rage."

Civil disobedience trainings and action planning sessions will commence on Saturday, January 8 from 2-5 pm at the University Settlement at the Houston Street Center located at 273 Bowery - Classroom 3. (Directions: The Center is at the corner of Bowery and Houston. The staff will direct all "Hands Off St. Vincent's" participants. Take the F train to 2nd Avenue stop or B-D trains to Broadway-Lafayette or 6 train to Bleecker St.). A steady wave of actions will begin shortly thereafter.

For more information and details on how to become involved, visit Hands off St. Vincent's at www.handsoffstvincents.com or the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179956295358949.

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