Thirteen Nurses Arrested Amid Ongoing Strike in NYC
A group of 13 nurses in New York City were taken into custody on Thursday after they formed a linked chain outside a midtown building and declined to disperse, as reported by police and witnesses.
Footage captured by bystanders showed officers from the NYPD arresting the nurses who were demonstrating at 555 West 57th Street, the offices of lobbyists for several major hospitals in the city. This content was shared online by the New York State Nurses Association.
“This really highlights how urgent our situation is. We’re asking for better pay, improved safety, and more benefits, and we’re willing to face arrest for it. We’re not here as protesters; we’re here as nurses,” remarked Rosa, a registered nurse.
One observer noted, “This is unprecedented. I can’t believe the extent to which this has escalated.” Many of the women arrested had likely never faced such a situation before, and it was shocking to witness them being taken away.
Approximately 15,000 nurses have been striking since January 12, advocating for new contracts with NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and Montefiore hospitals.
Negotiations between the unions and hospital representatives have revolved around various matters, including compensation, safety at work, and staffing levels during the strike, which has now lasted nearly a month.
The union indicated that the protests leading to the arrests were directed at two pro-hospital lobbying groups: the League of Volunteer Hospitals and Housing and the Greater New York Hospital Association.
Charges against the arrested nurses are pending, with the NYPD confirming that officers issued multiple warnings for the striking individuals to vacate the area.
Witnesses reported seeing the nurses linking arms during the protest.
Patrick Riley, a bystander aged 25, described the scene as “textbook civil disobedience.” He added, “There wasn’t any shouting or resistance. A few were emotional during the process.” He found the event brave, recalling how surreal it felt to see nurses being escorted away in zip ties, with one of them reminding him of his own mother, who is also a nurse.
The NYSNA issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to confronting “greedy hospital executives, billionaire board members, and their lobbyists” through this demonstration.
While the League of Volunteer Hospitals and Housing declined to comment, a spokesperson for the GNYHA dismissed the protests, questioning the sincerity of the negotiation process and stating, “You would have to ask the NYSNA leadership what the purpose of that event was.” Meanwhile, as the strike continues, a tentative agreement has been reached regarding protections for artificial intelligence across all hospital settings, along with some additional agreements on specific local issues.
