We wholeheartedly advocate for residents protesting and making their voices heard. A group plans to do just that at 4:15 p.m. Friday in front of Brooks Memorial Hospital on Central Avenue in regard to the facility’s planned relocation from Dunkirk to Fredonia.

Residents have a right to be upset. The decision was made by a board of directors with hardly any public input from community members or elected leaders in the city of Dunkirk.

But that does not give protesters the right to send an inaccurate or distorted message during the demonstration.

In a photo on the Wednesday front page of the OBSERVER was a group preparing for the rally. Many of the signs send a proper sentiment: “Save Brooks.” “Renovate, don’t relocate.” “Don’t make Dunkirk’s history … history.”

One message that is not — and downright inaccurate — was the sign pictured that says: “People over $profits$.”

Here’s the unfortunate reality for this community. From 2012 to 2016, Brooks Memorial Hospital — a not-for-profit institution — was bleeding cash, according to publicly filed Internal Revenue Service documents. During those five years, Brooks lost nearly $13 million. Its assets tumbled from $23 million in 2014 to $3 million in 2016.

So, to be clear, here’s the reality: There are no profits — or surpluses — at Brooks, a not-for-profit institution.

Voices at the protest need to be heard. But, in this trying and emotional ordeal, we also need honesty and facts. Profits are not one of them.