Braddock vigils aim to win UPMC's attention
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Pat Minnaji, of East Pittsburgh, wears his protest sign after the prayer vigil to save UPMC Braddock hospital ends on Grant Street near the U.S. Steel Tower in Downtown Pittsburgh. -
Linda Lenno, of Braddock, uses her chin to hold a sign Friday during a prayer vigil to save Braddock hospital near the U.S. Steel Tower on Grant Street. UPMC has offices there.
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If traditional prayer vigils consist of stoic groups huddled over candles in mourning, then a weekend of vigils hosted by those who want UPMC Braddock to stay open were anything but traditional.
"Keep Braddock hospital open! Save lives!" shouted groups of protesters Friday afternoon during a rally across from USX Tower on Grant Street.
About 20 people endured frigid temperatures to attend the gathering at UPMC's Downtown headquarters, where they distributed fliers, drew honks of approval from passing motorists and, every 15 minutes, broke away from the action to gather in prayer.
The Rev. James McDonald, pastor of First Baptist Church of Braddock Hills and president of the Greater Braddock Ministerial Association, said the protest did not solve anything, but it forced UPMC executives to take notice of residents who believe they're being left behind.
"They have to [notice], unless they're blind," he said. "Yes, they're paying attention to it, but they have a hardened heart. We're just praying their hearts will be softened by God."
"Don't underestimate the power of prayer," said the Rev. Jack O'Malley, AFL-CIO labor chaplain. "Faith and labor in the community together can bring about miracles."
David Hughes, executive director of Citizen Power, a community organizing group, said the approach taken at Friday's vigil and at a candlelight vigil Saturday outside UPMC Braddock is meant to encourage UPMC to look beyond profits and toward people who will be affected by the hospital's closing.
"I think [it] reflects the values of the people in Braddock," he said. "When they look at this closure, they look at this giant conglomerate looking at only its bottom line. We're hoping just by their natural, heartfelt expressions [they will] contrast the values of that community to the values of UPMC."
Documentarian and Braddock resident Tony Buba, who helped to organize Saturday's vigil, said he believes the fight to save UPMC Braddock can play a role in preserving community health care throughout the country.
"Every generation, I think, is called upon to do something, and I think health care is the call for this generation," he said.
Mr. Buba said the call to action won't stop with Saturday's vigil and that organizers have numerous plans, including a "zombie march" - reminiscent of the George Romero movie "Dawn of the Dead."
Approximately 30 people, including Braddock resident Jim Kidd, urged Allegheny County Council to vote against a UPMC request to refinance more than $1 billion in bonds at a meeting Tuesday night.
"Vote with your hearts and not with your pocket books," Mr. Kidd pleaded.
Council ultimately approved the request by an 11-1 margin.
County Councilman Michael Finnerty participated in Friday's march but said he nonetheless supports refinancing UPMC's bonds.
"[The bonds] have nothing to do with Braddock Hospital," he said. "All UPMC is doing is refinancing some bonds - it has nothing to do with Braddock Hospital."
Mr. Finnerty encouraged UPMC executives to keep a portion of the hospital open for emergency services during a "transitional period" after the planned closing in January.
The Rev. McDonald has asked Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato for an injunction to postpone the hospital's closing date. The Rev. McDonald said he has not heard back from Mr. Onorato.
Braddock council President Jesse Brown has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against UPMC, claiming the hospital's closure would disenfranchise a struggling black community.
Regardless of political and legal attempts to stop the hospital's closure, the Rev. O'Malley said he will continue to support protests out of concern for UPMC's plans.
"We're going to stay with this. McKeesport could be next," he said.
UPMC officials have said they have no plans to close UPMC McKeesport.
First Published December 17, 2009 12:00 am
