Buffalo April 4 Action
• We Are One and We Fight for All
We Are One and We Fight for All
A militant crowd of about 300 workers rallied on April 4 at the Mattina Health Clinic on Niagara Street. Kaleida has announced it is planning to close the clinic and demonstrators were there to say NO! Keep Mattina Open! Mattina’s healthcare workers, patients, and families were joined by many other workers including those from Buffalo General, others from SEIU, AFSCME, Teamsters, UAW, Painters and other CWA locals. Various other community and political organizations also participated.
Demonstrators lined the street, chanting and waving as many cars honked in support. Together they took their stand against the closing of Mattina and against the brutal budget just passed for New York State that promises yet more cuts and layoffs. Numerous speakers denounced the attacks on workers taking place in Buffalo, statewide and nationwide. They stood firm against attacks and
Demonstrators stood up for the dignity of workers, bringing out that they are the ones who care for the patients and who provide and defend public services. Without them society would not function. It is their rights and those of the public that should be put front and center.
We Are One, We Are One, demonstrators shouted. Respect Our Rights! Stop the War on Workers! Healthcare is a Right! Healthcare Workers Put Patients First! No War Funding = No Cuts and No Layoffs! gave expression to their determined stand for the rights of all.
Those participating in the action were as diverse as the surrounding community, with many Latinos and African Americans. The closing of the clinic will mean many bilingual workers will be eliminated and those in the community will no longer have a clinic where they can receive care in their own language and be seen without insurance or funds. As the signs said, the workers put patients first, and they also confronted Kaleida with the demand: Bottom Line — Money or Life?
All during the demonstration cars and buses honked in support. The various workers talked about the attacks of all kinds, including on pensions and the unions themselves. Together they emphasized, We Are One and We Fight for ALL!
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