Protesters rally in Rochester against Mayo Clinic's vaccine mandate
Scores of protesters took to the streets of downtown Rochester on Monday to express opposition to Mayo Clinic’s vaccine mandate.
Holding signs and chanting “Shame on Mayo,” the demonstrators made their way around the Mayo campus throughout the morning as passersby periodically honked to show their support for the protest.
Some in attendance promoted baseless conspiracy theories about mask-wearing and vaccines, both of which have been proven to be effective public health measures. Other protesters, however, insisted they were not against vaccines — instead, they see it as an issue of personal choice.
“I am not anti-vax, but these health care workers — who we were calling heroes last year — have the right to make their own choices … and do what they feel is right for their own bodies,” said a protester who would only provide her first name, Jamie. “It’s a shame Mayo is doing this to them.”
In all, at least 100 people attended the protest, which was organized on social media. The event was advertised as a so-called “medical freedom” rally in support of unvaccinated health care workers.
Protesters make their way through Peace Plaza / Med City Beat
As of Oct. 14, about 8,000 workers — or 12 percent of Mayo’s workforce system-wide — were unvaccinated. Mayo says those employees must get vaccinated or apply for medical or religious exemption by November. Staff not in compliance with the policy by Jan. 3, 2022 will be terminated.
“Making Covid-19 vaccination a requirement to work at Mayo Clinic will help ensure we have a healthy workforce and that Mayo Clinic is a safe place to receive care — just as our patients expect,” said a Mayo spokesperson.
Staff, they added, “may participate in social media and advocacy on their own behalf, in accordance with applicable Mayo Clinic policies.”
Similar rallies have been held across the country to protest vaccine mandates, including one last week outside a Mayo Clinic Health System site in Eau Claire, Wis., which reports said was attended by about 100 people.
While it remains unclear how many Mayo employees will risk their jobs in defiance of the mandate, one administrative assistant who recently resigned in protest estimates — citing conversation in a private Facebook group — that at least 700 employees are “ready to quit or be fired.”
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
