University of Chicago Uses Extreme Force to Shut Down Peaceful Sit-in & Arrest 9 Trauma Center Activists

From: Trauma Care Coalition

Firefighters Break Windows, Tear Down Walls, to Remove Protesters Requesting a Meeting with UofC President Zimmer

CHICAGO, IL – At 6 P.M. yesterday, the University of Chicago Police Department sent in Chicago Firefighters to the UofC administrative building to cut through drywall with axes and break through glass windows with crowbars and a power saw.  Protestors had been peacefully sitting-in the building to protest the U of C’s refusal to open an adult trauma center.

Nine arrests have been made and all nine activists are being held at the 51st and Wentworth jail.

“The Trauma Care Coalition is horrified by the course of action that the University of Chicago chose to take in the face of peaceful protest,”  said Veronica Morris-Moore, a leader from the Trauma Care Coalition, adding that she was “scared by the University’s use of force.”

Student organizer Anna Nathanson agrees: “I was terrified of the UofC administration today. Not only do they refuse to open a level one trauma center, but they are not above terrorizing their own students engaging in peaceful direct action.”

The Chicago Fire Department smashed UofC administration building windows in the faces of Trauma Center activists as they peacefully asked for a meeting with UofC President Zimmer to discuss the possibility of opening an adult level 1 trauma center on the Side Side.

One bystander commented, “The University would rather have their property destroyed by the Chicago Fire Department than agree to meet with the Trauma Care Coalition.”

However, organizers plan to continue as scheduled with their planned disruptions of the alumni weekend celebrations.  Student organizer Aqsa Ahmad remarked, “Intimidation and repression from the University of Chicago will not stop our weekend of actions. There will be no more business as usual for President Zimmer until he agrees to meet with the Trauma Care Coalition”

Week of Action for #TraumaCenterNow During UChicago Alumni Celebrations

Thur 6/4:  6:30PM – Prayer Vigil, 58th & Maryland

Fri 6/5:    11AM – T-Shirt Action Calling for a #TraumaCenterNow (Location TBA

Friday Morning)

8PM – Large-Scale Visual Action for #BlackLivesMatter (details to be

announced)

Sat 6/6:  all morning – On campus protests and rallies (details to be announced)

Organizers are demanding that:

UofC open a level one adult trauma center now

UofC raise the age of the Level 1 pediatric trauma center care to 21

UofC President Zimmer set a meeting with the Trauma Care Coalition by the end of the week

UofC include community input in the current trauma center feasibility study

UofC agree to a comprehensive community benefits agreement on the Obama Library

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.