St. Luke’s condemns threats, harassment; says phone lines received ‘surge in calls’
St. Luke’s Health System on Thursday condemned the harassment and threats its health care workers have faced over the past several days and called for a stop.
A news release from St. Luke’s said the threats and protests this week caused “undue stress and anxiety” for patients, families, staff members and others around the hospital.
“They have also strained the resources of our community’s first responders; multiple agencies have been involved to ensure public safety, safe passage for health care users and other needs,” the news release said.
The hospital said its phone lines have also received a “surge in calls,” which tied up resources and prevented people from being able to connect with their caregivers. Team members have taken profanity-laced calls, and some have had their personal information shared online, according to the news release.
“While we respect the right of community members to peacefully demonstrate, we will and we must always draw the line when safety is at risk,” the news release said. “Together with our health care, public safety and other civic colleagues, we exist to protect and serve, and to improve the health of the people in our communities.”
The health system said the behavior it had seen this week was “dangerous” and called for an end to the harassment.
On Tuesday, St. Luke’s implemented a lockdown at its downtown Boise hospital as a crowd of protesters gathered at Avenue B and Broadway Avenue. At least four patients had to be diverted during the hour-long lockdown.
For several days, protesters have stood outside the hospital to oppose police taking custody of a 10-month-old child. The baby is the grandson of gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy’s campaign consultant. Bundy had urged his followers to protest at the hospital.
The family said Wednesday that authorities will not return the child to his parents for the time being, and that the child would remain in state custody.
Bundy was arrested Saturday at the St. Luke’s Meridian campus on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing, police said.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 5:31 PM.
