Wonder about the "ADAPT" "mind-set?"  As in: "...Thirteen year old Kyle
Glozier, a longtime ADAPT activist..."

Just where does that leave us "over-twenties?"

Revolutionary or revolting? ;)

ISM


-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Stephanie
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 1999 8:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Thousands at Rally




----------
From:   [log in to unmask][SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, May 13, 1999 11:21 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Thousands at Rally


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        For more information, contact:
May 13, 1999                              Janine Bertram-Kemp:(202)342-9439
                                           Jennifer Burnett: (717) 238-0172
                                                Marsha Katz: (406) 829-9495

              Four Thousand March with ADAPT to Supreme Court

WASHINGTON,D.C.-- Solidarity prevailed yesterday as several thousand
disability advocates joined with nearly 800 ADAPT activists on the U.S.
Capitol grounds, rallying in support of the "integration mandate" of the
Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA).  Over 100 organizations co-sponsored
the
rally which was organized by ADAPT, a national disability rights group with
chapters in  39 states.

      Chanting "Our homes, not nursing homes" with Senator Tom
Harkin(D--Iowa), and listening to Governor Dick Thornburgh describe the
signing of the ADA in 1990, the crowd was united in its passion to
preserve the "most integrated setting" regulation. Thirteen year old Kyle
Glozier, a longtime ADAPT activist, told the crowd, "I don't know why the
Olmstead decision has even gone to the Supreme Court".

     The rally finished as disability advocates and activists took their
outrage to the steps of the Supreme Court. Marchers filed into the street
to wheel and walk the four blocks, and a magnificent wave of people, 4000
strong according to the Supreme Court police, gathered before the Supreme
Court to send a message to the justices that will decide the fate of the
ADA integration mandate.

     The statement, "Integration, not Segregation", was everywhere. It was
written on t-shirts, buttons, flags, banners, signs, hats, and stickers.
The crowd became a chorus stepping up the volume, and sending a powerful
message to Congress and the Court. "Our liberty, our freedom, our right to
choice, these are fundamental rights," said national ADAPT organizer
Stephanie Thomas."If the court can't recognize these basic human rights,
we must continue the fight. Victory will be ours."

    The disability community considers the lawsuit before the Supreme
Court, formally known as Olmstead v. L.C.& E.W. to be the "Brown v. Board
of Education" for people with disabilities.  Far from being an alarmist
viewpoint, the fact that the Supreme Court even agreed to hear the oral
arguments brings into question the intent of Congress in passing the law.

     Nearly ten years after its passage, the ADA is now being tested in
the highest court in the land, despite two U.S.  Circuit Court decisions
supporting the right to services in the "most integrated setting".
Without a strong "integration mandate", the ADA will no longer be a civil
rights law. ADAPT vows to continue the "Don't Tread on the ADA" campaign,
supporting integration, not segregation and civil rights not state's
rights.



--


FOR MORE INFORMATION on American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today
(ADAPT)
        Please visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/

For direct inquiries regarding this press release please use the contact
    information at the beginning of this message or Email [log in to unmask]

NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Adapt MiCASA List of Adapt Organizers.