ADAPT marches for justice

Overview of the ADAPT 2019 Fall Action in Washington DC

By Allison Donald
National ADAPT gathered in Washington DC for the 2019 fall action in solidarity with those who are the most marginalized people in our society.  This action took on a very different tenor than those I have attended in the past.  There was a concerted effort to include everyone in the issues that National ADAPT was going to be addressing during the next four days.  

One specific goal of National ADAPT was to begin the conversation about race within the social justice movements.  National ADAPT feels it is imperative to shine a light on issues regarding housing, ending the institutional bias and disaster preparedness. Also critical is pivotal legislation like the Disability Integration Act, the Empower Care Act, Access across America, and the READII Act. 

The 2019 Fall Action concluded the action with the “All for One March” which was intended to recognize ADAPTERS and others living with disabilities who claim multiple identities in the fight for freedom and liberation.

Sunday October 20, 2019
National ADAPT took part in a Racism 101 workshop which was intended to start to address the systemic and structural racism that has pervaded National ADAPT.  The facilitator of the workshop Michelle Marks-Osbourne spoke on the system of that bore white supremacy.  Ms. Osbourne told us about the extensions of white supremacy structure that led to the language that was espoused on July 14, 2019.   The workshop also covered anti-blackness, the difference between being non-racist versus being anti-racist. 

“The disability rights movement is anchored in the civil rights movement,” said Ms. Osbourne, “you can not want something more for yourself than you want for your neighbor.”

Ms. Osborne has agreed to work with the Intersectional Justice Committee and National ADAPT on the next steps which will include work that chapter leaders will take back to their respective chapters.

Monday October 21, 2019
National ADAPT went to the USCIS office to call for an end to the “public charge”.  ADAPTers sat outside of the USCIS office as Kimberly Hale of Texas ADAPT recounted her visit to one of the camps where immigrants are currently being detained while they wait to find out if they are going to be allowed to stay in the United States. 

“I heard the voices of children as they cried for their parents,” Ms. Hale said, “and how some individuals with disabilities were left in their soiled beds.” 

Tony Brooks from PA ADAPT recalled his experience coming to the United States in search of a better life and getting injured and ending up in a nursing institution.  The “public charge” rule is proven to be an extension of the discriminatory practices of the current administration that is why the next stop for National ADAPT was the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

While sitting in the Majority Leader’s office, Danny Saenz (Desert ADAPT), began to tell his story of living in an institution.   Staffers from McConnell’s office would listen, but as the clock struck five-thirty the Capitol police began to pull protestors out.

No resolution was reached.  People living with disabilities need not wonder where Senator McConnell stands on disability related issues he has yet to come out in support of the Empower Care Act, Access across America legislation, or the Disability Integration Act. 

Twenty-three National ADAPTers were arrested in the office of Senator McConnell including Danelle Holdsclaw (1st arrest).   Irene “Spitfire” Sabol told her story of survival in a nursing institution.  Spitfire was one of the twenty-three ADAPTers pulled out of McConnell’s office for her 100^th arrest.

Tuesday October 22, 2019
National ADAPT ascended on the office of Senator Susan Collins of Maine.  We were there asking Senator Collins to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act and the proposal for Access across America

Wednesday October 23, 2019
National ADAPT took to the streets on the last day of the action for the “All for One March”.  The first leg of the march began in the courtyard at the front door of FEMA.  We were there to address the reasoning behind FEMA not supporting the READII Act.

As the march moved further down the road the next stop was the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Goldilocks and the Three Bears told the story of people living with disabilities and the process of obtaining affordable, accessible, integrated housing. 

Next, the march took us to the African American Museum of History and Culture. Anita Cameron, Latoya Maddox, and I were charged with lifting up the names of black ADAPTers. 

The march continued through the streets of the capitol, the next stop was the Navy Memorial Plaza. ADAPTers who served in the armed forced Scott (Arizona) and Zan (Georgia) spoke about their experience as service men and women living with disabilities. 

The ADAPT route continued to wind its way through the streets of Washington DC and  we found ourselves at US Customs and Border Protection.  National ADAPT’s final stop on the march was the White House where we gathered and announced that the current occupant in the White House has waged an unprecedented  war on the lives and dignity of people living with disabilities through cuts in resources and programs, abuse of immigrants and children living with disabilities at the border and negligent disaster relief policies.

  

As a result of the 2019 fall action we were able to secure follow up meetings with the head of Disability Rights Policy for FEMA and Immigration and Naturalization Services.  We also secured a firm promise from the staffers of Senator Collins’ office in regards to working with Senator Corey Gardner’s office to flesh out the DIA so that Collins will sponsor the bill.  The Disability Integration Act now has 238 sponsors in the House and on needs 19 more Senators to cosponsor the bill in the Senate.

Every Acton is different, but the goal remains the same. Free Our People!