Advertisement. Advertise with us

Anti-vaccine protesters leaving Neahwa Park in Oneonta on Friday, Sept. 17. (Kevin Limit/AllOtsego).

Protesters against vaccine mandate march to A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta

By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA — Hundreds of protesters, along with Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, marched to A.O. Fox Hospital and through Main Street Friday, Sept. 17, to protest the vaccine mandate put in place for healthcare workers.

The protesters chanted slogans such as "stop the mandate" as they walked through downtown Oneonta towards the hospital. There were signs that said "unmask our children" and "protect our liberties."

The vaccine mandate from Bassett Healthcare was in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul's mandate that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated.

Prior to the march, the protesters rallied at Damaschke Field.

"I'm here to support the medical professionals and support their right to not have an injection they're not confident," Salka told AllOtsego.com. "Last year they were heroes, this year they're zeroes."

You have reached your limit of 3 free articles

To Continue Reading

 

Our hard-copy and online publications cover the news of Otsego County by putting the community back into the newspaper. We are funded entirely by advertising and subscriptions. With your support, we continue to offer local, independent reporting that is not influenced by commercial or political ties.

Posted

Tags

Related Articles

Time Out Otsego: 01-15-26

CLAM NIGHT—5-7 p.m. Held each Thursday. Fees apply. American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494 or https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122179916480460363&set=a.122095360988460363…
January 14, 2026

Rudy: An Opportunity Not To Be Wasted

In November of this year, Americans will have the opportunity to turn out of office those Republicans who voted for the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” and supported the across-the-board cuts to hospitals like Bassett.…
January 8, 2026

In Memoriam: Minnie B. Hungerford

Minnie B. Hungerford, age 87, of Palm Bay, Florida, passed away on December 26, 2025. Minnie was born in New Lisbon, New York on December 2, 1938, the daughter of John and Grace (Mabey) Ballard. She also was blessed to call Vivian and Marion Card mom and dad as her foster parents. She graduated from Milford Central School District and set forth on her journey of success. That Saturday after graduation, she started work at the Milford branch of Wilber National Bank as a teller.…
January 5, 2026

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY BACK INTO THE NEWSPAPER

For a limited time, new annual subscriptions to the hard copy of “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta” (which also includes unlimited access to AllOtsego.com), or digital-only access to AllOtsego.com, can also give back to one of their favorite Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice: Friends of the Feral-TNR, Super Heroes Humane Society, or Susquehanna Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Visit our “subscribe” page and select your charity of choice at checkout

SUBSCRIBE