This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA.
Last Monday, January 26th, workers and community members gathered outside of Highland to commemorate Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was killed in the streets of Minneapolis by ICE agents. In only a day, AHS workers organized a program, created signs, wrote press releases, and contacted news organizations in order to make the vigil happen. At least 3 news sites covered this worker-organized event.
Attendees brought flowers, held candles, sang songs, and listened to poetry. They gathered in community to remember those whose lives have been taken by ICE, and to remember that we are not alone in this fight to keep each other safe.
In one speech, a Highland worker made the connection that these layoffs at AHS are directly related to the bloated budgets of government agencies like ICE. While money is being stripped from public services, it is being deposited into violent government organizations that are tearing families apart and terrorizing entire communities.
The fight to save our hospitals and public healthcare access is the same fight to stop ICE terror and keep our immigrant neighbors safe.
Click here to read the article printed in the 02-04-26 Healthcare Newsletter
