Hundreds of protesters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, and several were arrested as they demonstrated their opposition to the proposed closures of two hospitals in the borough.
The march began at about 4 p.m. in Cadman Plaza and went across the bridge to Foley Square in Lower Manhattan.
The protesters held signs and carried caskets as they called on officials to keep Long Island College Hospital in downtown Brooklyn and Interfaith Hospital in Bedford-Stuyvesant open.
Chopper 4 video over Foley Square showed police officers handcuffing several protesters.
Interfaith, which serves an overwhelmingly low-income population in Bed-Stuy and is currently in bankruptcy proceedings, has until Thursday to resubmit a modified plan to the state health department to keep it open.
Hospital officials say they'll continue to pursue options to keep the facility open. Trustees have requested a meeting with the health department.
Meanwhile, plans are proceeding to close the financially strapped Long Island College Hospital. Among the protesters Wednesday were longtime neighbors.
U.S. & World
"I am fighting for this hospital," said Josephine Musarella. "I was born there, I was raised there. I'm a fighter. I believe we need this hospital."
