"SALINAS - Stormy weather Thursday didn't stop dozens of nurses from publicly denouncing continued government spending on Immigration and Customs Enforcement out front of Salinas Valley Health Medical Center. Amid a widespread climate of fear generated by immigration enforcement, Salinas' nurses joined many others across the country, as part of a nationwide day of action organized by National Nurses United. NNU is the nation's largest union of registered nurses, of which California Nurses Association, who organized the Salinas action, is a part of."
"Salinas' nurses were joined in solidarity by a number of public officials including Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Watsonville City Councilwoman Maria Orozco and president of Salinas League of United Latin American Citizens Chris Barrera. "It can't be colder (out here) than Minneapolis," said Daniels, as the rush of passing cars and cold winds tugged at protest signs held by nurses saying, "ICE not welcome here," and "our patients' rights have no borders," referencing the sub-zero temperatures that faced protestors in the Minnesota city."
"The weight of ICE's recent operations in Minneapolis, which transpired in the death of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, hung heavily on many in attendance. "We are being proactive rather than reactive because we've seen what's going on in Minneapolis," said Tracy Chavez, chief nurse representative for Salinas Valley Health. Chavez did not mince words about their demands. "We want the politicians to abolish ICE," Chavez said. "It's no longer about immigration, this is terrorizing families and patients." "We're out here demanding that ICE stay out of our hospitals, our schools, our churches, our places of worship. When ICE enters these spaces they don't just enforce immigration policy, they terrorize the families, the patients. They break trust and they endanger families"
Dozens of nurses protested outside Salinas Valley Health Medical Center during stormy weather, denouncing continued government spending on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The action took place as part of a nationwide day organized by National Nurses United, with the California Nurses Association organizing the local event. Public officials joined nurses in solidarity. Protesters referenced recent ICE operations in Minneapolis and the death of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. Nurses demanded abolition of ICE and called for ICE to stay out of hospitals, schools, churches, and places of worship, saying enforcement terrorizes families, breaks trust and endangers patients.
Read at The Mercury News
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