BROOKLYN – A group of 15 people was arrested for civil disobedience today after they blocked the doors of SUNY’s Midtown office in protest of the potential closure of Long Island College Hospital.

Among those arrested was Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill DiBlasio and Brooklyn Councilman Steve Levin.

The protest is part of a long battle with SUNY Downstate and workers who say SUNY is diverting ambulances and cutting staff at LICH.

SUNY Downstate says it was forced to stop ambulances from bringing patients to LICH because it lost too much staff to adequately serve patients. Nurses and Brooklyn residents who were arrested today say that SUNY is playing a dangerous game and putting people’s lives at stake.

SUNY Downstate is expected in court on July 15 for a contempt hearing, where it will be determined whether or not it has violated two restraining orders, calling on the hospital to remain open and fully staffed.