12:00 pm Central
For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2007
Contact:
Bob Kafka (512) 431-4085
Marsha Katz (406) 544-9504
Gary Arnold (773) 425-2536
Where: 29 North Whacker Drive, Chicago IL 60606
When: Now
ADAPT has requested that the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) endorse the Community Choice Act (formerly known as Micassa). Despite multiple meetings with the union’s leadership, AFSCME has refused to endorse the legislation or support the right of people with disabilities and the elderly to receive community-based services instead of being forced into a nursing home or other institution. In fact, AFSCME has undercut efforts of ADAPT and the disability community to address the institutional bias in long term services and supports by actively advocating for increased funding for institutions. AFSCME has even lobbied that institutions like Lincoln Developmental Center be reopened even though this proposal was vigorously opposed by the disability community.
AFSCME has repeatedly trampled on the human and civil rights of people with disabilities and the elderly. The union has sacrificed the freedom of people with disabilities and the elderly to increase their own membership and union dues, stealing lives to line their own pockets. This must stop.
ADAPT demands AFSCME immediately endorse the Community Choice Act and work with ADAPT to develop a strategy for the union to promote workers’ rights without sacrificing the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly. Right now, hundreds of disability activists have occupied the office building at 29 North Whacker Drive in Chicago. There is a negotiating team of local ADAPT activists on the 8th floor.
The picture above shows about ten tightly packed activists lined in two rows against the wall, and look like they’re chanting.
The picture above is taken from the inner part of the lobby straight across the room toward a pretty bright window. It looks like it’s wall-to-wall activists in there!
Above is another shot of tightly-packed activists against one of the walls. In this shot, there’s a long banner hung behind them, which I can’t quite make out.
The shot above is taken by the receptionist in the lobby and looks out across the room, which is crammed with ADAPTers. A “Free Our People” Banner is strung across the windows facing out, so it can be read by people passing by.
Update 1:45 pm. Central
I heard from Marsha Katz. The negotiations look like they went absolutely nowhere.
Arrests have begun.
Earlier, AFSCME reps at Council 31 in Chicago suggested the signing of a joint statement that contained some of the elements contained in this excerpt from a statement that has been written up about today’s events by Council 31’s PR officer, issued on Council 31 AFSCME letterhead, with Director Henry Bayer’s name on it somewhere…
“We believe that people who want to be served and need congregate care should
receive that care. We believe that individuals who want to receive
services in their homes and can receive their services in that setting should be
allowed to do so. We believe that the federal and state governments should
appropiate sufficient funds to provide quality care in both settings.”
Here’s what it looks like now:
The picture above shows activists being processed by police, who have pulled them away from the doors to issue citations.
Above is another street picture with a long line of activists – mostly wheelchair users – being processed by police.