Protest in Charlotte against compulsory vaccine for healthcare workers in North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – Freedom Park was the site of a Sunday protest against mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers.

The event took place at 1 p.m. Sunday at Freedom Park, not far from the Atrium Main.

The Healthcare Heroes for Freedom group was hosting the event and members said a number of Atrium employees are expected to attend the event to support the protest.

Atrium announced last week, as did Novant, that all staff will need to be vaccinated and be able to provide vaccine verification.

Following new guidelines, last week from the CDC and the White House, many companies, not just in the health sector, are making vaccines mandatory.

“I just found out and was devastated,” said Brianna Isham, a healthcare worker who is devastated by a mandatory vaccine for workers at some North Carolina hospitals.

Atrium says they don’t see this as any different from other requirements like the flu shot or the measles and chickenpox vaccines. And Novant Health is requiring employees to get vaccinated by September 15.

Last week, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper made the vaccine mandatory for all state employees.