Protesters once again organized outside of the Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital, sending the message that they want the hospital doors to remain open.

Residents, community leaders and health care professionals say the hospital has been a staple in their community and that the century-old hospital is the only medical facility offering inpatient care services in Mount Vernon.

The Montefiore Health System continues to stick to its plan of closing the inpatient hospital, and replacing it with an outpatient and ambulatory facility nearby. Officials say the demand isn’t there anymore, with less than 50% of beds being used at the 121-bed facility.

Protesters say closing the hospital will cause them to have to travel to neighboring towns for inpatient care. 

A spokesperson for Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital tells News 12 that once the new site is open, the existing site will close. The timeline on the plan is still being developed.