A group of Catholic leaders and organizations from the District of Columbia came together today to issue “A Call to Keep Providence Hospital Open.” “We ask that you stand with us, and the thousands of registered nurses, doctors, hospital workers, social justice advocates and community members who have similarly spoken out, to keep Providence Hospital open as a fully functioning hospital with acute-care services because, as Pope Francis said, ‘Health care is not a consumer good, but a human right, and access to health care cannot be a privilege,’” the Catholic leaders wrote. The letter called on Ascension Health, the huge Catholic hospital corporation that runs Providence Hospital, to fulfill its claimed mission and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services that oblige it to “distinguish itself by service to and advocacy for those people whose social condition put them at the margins of our society.” Among those joining the statement citing the needs of the community and the obligation of Ascension Health to stop plans to close Providence Hospital were Father Patrick Smith, pastor of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Sister Patty Chappell and Sister Anne-Louise Nadeau of Pax Christi USA, Father Kevin Thompson of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, and several Catholic orders and organizations, including Carmelite Sisters of Charity, Vedruna; Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice; Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Discalced Carmelite Friars; Divine Word Missionaries; Franciscan Action Network; Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation O.S.F.; Pax Christi USA; and Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity. Click here for complete latest listings Union City Radio; weekdays 7:15am; WPFW-FM 89.3 Prince George's/Montgomery County Committee on Political Education (COPE) Thu, November 29, 10am – 12pm; UFCW Local 400, 8400 Corporate Drive Suite 200 Support SAG-AFTRA's strike against BBH (DC action) Thu, November 29, 12:30pm – 1:30pm; Meet at the entrance to the Smithsonian Metro Station (on 12th Street between Independence Ave. and Jefferson Drive) Union City Radio: Your Rights at Work Thu, November 29, 1pm – 3pm; WPFW 89.3 FM or listen online. Today's guests include: SAG-AFTRA's Jane Love on the BBH strike; David Dzidzienyo on the effects on hospital workers and patients of the proposed GW Hospital deal. COMING UP Hopkins Nurses Speak Out; Sat, December 1, 10:30am – 12:00pm The DC Labor Chorus 20th Anniversary Concert; Sat, December 1, 7:30pm – 10:30pm Support SAG-AFTRA's strike against BBH (Baltimore action); Sun, December 2, 12pm – 1pm Labor Night at the Signature Theater's "Billy Elliott, the Musical"; Sun, December 2, 7pm – 10pm With its headquarters in downtown DC at 6th and F Streets, staff and members of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers see hunger and homelessness on the streets of the nation’s capitol first-hand every day. That’s a big reason the Bricklayers participate in the Community Services Agency's Holiday Basket Program now underway. "It's about strengthening and uplifting our communities,” said IUBAC Executive Board Secretary Bobbie Haut last week when she and her colleagues Susan Flaherty and Mark Callis dropped off donations to CSA. "Unions' participation in the Holiday Basket Program is critical to our efforts to aid local families,” said CSA Executive Director Sonte DuCote. Unions and allies can participate by dropping off non-perishable canned and boxed food to CSA, collecting grocery store gift cards from union grocers or adopting a family by providing toys, clothing, etc. The deadline to participate is Friday, December 14th. For more information email [email protected] or call 202-974-8226. photo (l-r): Haut, Callis and DuCote; photo by Susan Flaherty The Solidarity Center is mourning the loss of colleague, sister and friend Lisa McGowan, who succumbed to cancer November 24, 2018. “Lisa was a true union sister, colleague and friend," said Cathy Feingold, director of the AFL-CIO International Department. "She inspired everyone around her to fight for a more just and equitable world. She dedicated her life to building bridges between the labor and feminist movements and creating transformative strategies that improved the lives of so many women workers. We deeply loved and respected her and will carry her passion for justice forward.” In her 19 years at the Solidarity Center, Lisa served in various roles—including deputy country director for Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, and acting regional program director for the Middle East and North Africa—ultimately leading the Inclusion and Equality Department, established in 2016. Read more here. |