PEORIA, Ill. – (25 News) – The issue of COVID-19 related mandates continues to be hot button issue nationally and locally.
A group of protesters gathered outside OSF HealthCare Saturday to speak out against a mandate that requires employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Protester Ashley Wozniak claimed OSF HealthCare is just the beginning. Wozniak said the group also plans to target schools and other area employers who have issued similar mandates.
“We’re starting with the hospitals because they were the first ones to start this mandate,” Wozniak told news partner 25 News. “We’re hoping, we’re wanting, we’re demanding for them to stop this mandate, to listen to their employees, to listen to other members of the community that want their rights.”
OSF HealthCare in a news release July 21 announcing the requirement stated the only exemption to the policy is for religious or medical reasons, but the exemption must be formally requested, documented and approved.
OSF stated the requirement is in line with other vaccination policies, including one that mandates employees receive a flu shot every year.
The protesters also spoke out against the governor’s indoor mask mandate that takes effect Monday, Aug. 30.
“I don’t think it’s right. It’s illegal, it’s immoral,” protester Judith Hall said. “We should have our choice to do what we want to do. America needs to stand up for themselves. We need to fight.”
“America needs to be America. We’re getting to be a communist country,” Hall said.
