Al Sharpton To Join Hospital Fight in Birmingham

The Rev. Al Sharpton is coming to Birmingham later this month. He says he’ll be here to protest the closure of the inpatient unit at the county-owned Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. County commission president David Carrington says the hospital isn’t efficient and should be downsized.

But at a recent protest in downtown Birmingham, citizen activist Sheila Tyson said the closure would affect poor people who desperately need the Cooper Green.

The county commission voted last month to close Cooper Green’s inpatient unit. Instead, the county wants to establish a new model featuring an urgent care facility and two clinics focused on preventive care. Rev. Sharpton will be in town October 26th to protest the move and State Representative John Rogers tells WBHM that the Rev. Jesse Jackson may visit as well.

Photo Credit: National Action Network