August, 7, 2024 — A decade ago, the faith community was just as invested in the fight to save SUNY Downstate Medical Center as they are today. So invested that they held a 48-hour fast to show their commitment!
Multiple unions, including PEF, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and United University Professions (UUP), all came out to show strong support for dozens of religious leaders and Brooklyn residents as they spent 48 hours, beginning March 9, 2014, fasting and praying on behalf of the medical center.
The clergy completed seven circuits around the block as a steady stream of patients entered the hospital. This year, PEF, UUP, other unions and the clergy marched and rallied and took the fight to Washington, D.C. , to secure support from Rep. Yvette Clarke, the member of Congress whose district contains Downstate.
Read the full story below from the pages of the April 2014 Communicator.
