‘Save the hospital, stop the war’

In keeping with the spirit of the “Troops Out Now” coalition, the Los Angeles International Action Center is organizing a Troops Out Now Caravan for March 19. It will feature decorated cars and a sound system to amplify the theme of “Money for Health Care, Not War, Save King Drew.”

The caravan will begin at the King-Drew Medical Center in South Los Angeles, and proceed to the anti-war rally in Hollywood called by the ANSWER Coalition.

Why King-Drew? Organizers say this facility is located in a community that is already underserved, with fewer health-care facilities per resident than the state average. This community has organized in defiance of the threat of closure, holding demonstrations of thousands.

“We in the progressive and anti-war movement need to do more to link up with their efforts since the struggle for health care involves all of us, especially as it relates to the war and its life-draining budget,” reads an IAC statement on the action.

Organizers say the planning of this event is going well, with promised participation from representatives of Service Employees Local 660, including the shop steward at King-Drew and members of the Save the King Drew Committee. Endor sers include UNITE Here Local 11 Pre sident Maria Elena Durazo, CISPES-LA, Puerto Rican Alliance, Bayan-USA, KRST Unity Center for African Spirit uality and Latinos Against the War.