23 Protesters Arrested at Woodlawn Mental Health Clinic
Updated: Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 11:26 AM CDT
Published : Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 9:20 AM CDT
Published : Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 9:20 AM CDT
Sun-Times Media Wire
Chicago - About two dozen people barricaded themselves inside a South Side mental health clinic Thursday, protesting Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plans to consolidate 12 city clinics into six.
There were about 200 demonstrators, at the height of the protest, outside the clinic at 63rd Street and South Woodlawn Avenue. They said they planned to stay on site until Emanuel agrees to keep all of the public clinics open.
The occupation began Thursday evening and organizers say it included facility clients and other "allies" of the movement.
One of the protest organizers, Matt Ginsburg, said he and about 20 others had been arrested for trespassing about 1 a.m. Friday.
He said the protesters put up barricades in front of the doors made of steel gates, piping and quick-dry cement, but that police used chainsaws to cut through them early Friday, arresting those inside.
Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said 23 people were taken into custody early Friday.
Eleven were released without charges, he said, and charges were pending against the remaining 12 as of about 4 a.m
There were about 200 demonstrators, at the height of the protest, outside the clinic at 63rd Street and South Woodlawn Avenue. They said they planned to stay on site until Emanuel agrees to keep all of the public clinics open.
The occupation began Thursday evening and organizers say it included facility clients and other "allies" of the movement.
One of the protest organizers, Matt Ginsburg, said he and about 20 others had been arrested for trespassing about 1 a.m. Friday.
He said the protesters put up barricades in front of the doors made of steel gates, piping and quick-dry cement, but that police used chainsaws to cut through them early Friday, arresting those inside.
Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said 23 people were taken into custody early Friday.
Eleven were released without charges, he said, and charges were pending against the remaining 12 as of about 4 a.m
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