RNAO spoke out against a series of disruptive protests that took place outside health organizations in September. “To block people from accessing the emergency care they need, and their regular follow-up care, is unconscionable and we need this to stop now,” President Morgan Hoffarth tells CBC Toronto News (Sept. 13). In statements released Sept 12 and Sept. 7, RNAO called for safe zones around hospitals and other health settings, and urged that charges must be vigorously pursued against those who attack health workers, engage in acts of violence, or express hate. After hearing that RNAO and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath were pushing for safe zones through legislation, ER nurse Vikky Leung, who is communications officer for the association’s new Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group, launched an online petition to support the effort. “As soon as I heard there was this push…I thought to myself: what can I do to help?” she tells CP24 during a panel discussion (Sept. 13). “I’m really grateful and pleasantly surprised by the support that I’m gaining.” On the impact of these protests for those going in and out of hospitals, Leung added: “Having to see these people as you go into work or maybe when leaving after your 12- or 13-hour shift…it’s disheartening and hard to digest. I’ve been hearing from my colleagues that they’re frustrated…they’re sad.” Emergency and ICU RN Birgit Umaigba also spoke on the CP24 panel, noting: “I really do believe there is a line and people need to respect that. People should take their concerns to decision-makers as opposed to going to Toronto General Hospital…go to Queen’s Park, where these decisions are being made and leave health-care workers alone. Leave patients alone.”