Brad Lander, 19 Others Arrested at Brooklyn Health Care Protest

A day after being honored by President Obama as a "Champion of Change" Councilman Brad Lander was arrested along with 19 others for blocking traffic in a protest against the closure of two Brooklyn hospitals.

"With LICH nurses and other workers from SEIU 1199 and the New York State Nurses Association, the National Action Network, and other community members, we blocked traffic to draw attention to the increasingly dire situation at [LICH]," the Councilman wrote in a statement on his website following the arrest.

Thousands had gathered in Foley Square Thursday evening after walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in a so-called "Funeral March," with many dressed in black and carrying coffins to illustrate the death of Brooklyn's health care. Both Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill and Interfaith in Bed-Stuy face imminent closure, though the former is currently protected by a restraining order secured by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

"State University of New York, which manages LICH, has violated court orders and broken the law as it seeks to close this much needed, much used community hospital, all without serious legal consequences," continued Lander in his statement. "Yet when the health care workers at LICH stand up for their institution which provides lifesaving healthcare every day, they walk away in handcuffs."

For the complete statement, visit the councilman's site here.

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