Images from LICH

SUNY Downstate is trying everything they can think of to close LICH by Thursday’s court date. Their main tactic now is to rid LICH of patients. For a month now, they haven’t been admitting new patients, and they have transferred out hundreds. Fewer than 20 are now left, yet there is a full staff of doctors, nurses and ancillary personnel. They are costing the taxpayer over $3 million in payroll just so they can ready the hospital for demolition and sale to real estate interests, looking for new developments overlooking Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Public Advocate Bill DiBlasio finally inserted himself into this scenario, obtaining a new temporary restraining order, and adding the weight of his office to the various lawsuits brought by the unions and doctors. This last full week of July may just tell the tale.

Following are some images from this past weekend.

The hospital is now under lockdown, with hordes of armed guards protecting the hospital against some as yet unknown enemy.

Special Brooklyn South cops were brought to Hicks Street, along with a few neighborhood police officers. Why? To oversee a small peaceful protest with local politicians, across the street.

There was hope at the Nurse’s Saturday night chapel service.

Dr. Alice Garner, shown here with editor Kimberly Gail Price, has emerged as a leading spokesmen for the hospital staff – and a hero.

Tish James

Nydia Velazquez

Di Blasio triumphantly leaves the hospital steps heading towards supporters across the street as he just finishing serving papers on Karkenny. Who still ignores them!

DiBlasio says all the right things in his speeches. He was formerly the local City Councilman in this district.

76th Precinct Captain Schiff negotiates with DiBlasio and his staff, as he attempts to serve interim LICH president James Karkenny with a new Temporary Restraining Order, directing the hospital to resume normal operations.

LICH is currently an armed camp. This undercover security guard carries weapons and is for some reason guarding the Emergency Room. There is a uniformed guard sitting at the doorway as well.

Preparing for a Wednesday march across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Everyone is invited to join the demonstration. Gathering at Cadman Plaza Park on Wednesday, June 24th at 4 pm, followed by a peaceful march across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Love this sign draped on a building across from the Emergency Room.

How long will this sign last?