CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–June 8, 2013. On Alumni Weekend trauma center protestors will rally before the University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer gives a speech to alumni. The rally will start at 2:15pm at 58th and Ellis, the group will then march to the University Quads where the President is set to speak at 3pm. The protestors will deliver over 2,500 petitions calling for the University of Chicago to open a level 1 trauma center. Protestors will include Alumni, students, mothers of victims, and community residents.
The protest coincides with the Annual Alumni Weekend at the University of Chicago, which is a series of events that brings together Alumni from around the country and world. Alumni who are the major donors of the University come to the campus to reconnect with the school and learn about current University activities.
The recent death of Kevin Ambrose, who was also shot blocks away from the University of Chicago (at the 47th Green Line Station) but taken to Cook County Hospital, has renewed outcry over the lack of an adult south side trauma center. A friend of Kevin Ambrose, Justin Harris, will be among the protesters, he said “the University Alumni should know that the University is not meeting the needs of the community, and Alumni should know that since they provide the University with money. If my friend didn’t have to travel 45min to a trauma center he might still be alive today.”
This protest comes days after the University of Chicago Hospital met with over 350 students, doctors, nurses, alumni and community residents and said they are willing to work with other hospitals to expand access to trauma care. Protestors welcome this step in the right direction and say they are going to take the University of Chicago to task.
This protest follows a recent sit-in which ended with 4 arrests at the new University of Chicago $700M Hospital. Among those who sat in was Sheila Rush, whose son Damian Turner was caught by a stray bullet in 2009 four blocks from the U of C but was taken 10 miles away to Northwestern where he died. The campaign to get a south side trauma center was started in 2010 in response to Damian’s death.
WHAT: Trauma Center Protestors Confront University President on Alumni Weekend
WHEN: Saturday June 8 Press Conference 2:15pm
WHERE: 58th St and S. Ellis Ave
Source: www.stopchicago.org
