Edmonton bands protest Alberta Hospital bed closures

Five Edmonton bands are taking to the stage to sing their protests against the closure of acute care beds at Alberta Hospital.

Musicians, including Juno-winning folk artist Bill Bourne, are hoping to raise awareness about the closures.

Bourne said he felt he had to speak out about the cuts.

"This is like a community social responsibility. I mean, what, when times get tough you just kick the ones out in the street that can't help themselves, that can't even get organized to protest or anything? I mean, that's ridiculous," he said.

The province announced in August that it plans to close 246 of its 400 beds at the psychiatric facility. Patients with acute mental health care needs will be admitted to beds in other hospitals in the province. Officials said at the time the closures could take anywhere from one to three years to implement.

Bourne said it's wrong for the province to try to balance its books on the backs of psychiatric patients.

"When a recession comes along, they're picking on the weakest ones in society. I don't think it's right, I don't think it's the right idea at all. That's wacky."

September Stone, Killinger, Dani Jean and Hollywood Assassyn will all play Saturday at the Edmonton Event Centre.

The show starts at 6 p.m., with a presentation by psychiatrists from the Alberta Hospital.

Tickets to the concert are available through Ticketmaster.