- LanguageAfrikaans Argentina AzÉrbaycanca
á¥áá áá£áá Äesky Ãslenska
áá¶áá¶ááááá à¤à¥à¤à¤à¤£à¥ বাà¦à¦²à¦¾
தமிழ௠à²à²¨à³à²¨à²¡ ภาษาà¹à¸à¸¢
ä¸æ (ç¹é«) ä¸æ (é¦æ¸¯) Bahasa Indonesia
Brasil Brezhoneg CatalÃ
ç®ä½ä¸æ Dansk Deutsch
Dhivehi English English
English Español Esperanto
Estonian Finnish Français
Français Gaeilge Galego
Hrvatski Italiano Îλληνικά
íêµì´ LatvieÅ¡u Lëtzebuergesch
Lietuviu Magyar Malay
Nederlands Norwegian nynorsk Norwegian
Polski Português RomânÄ
Slovenšcina Slovensky Srpski
Svenska Türkçe Tiếng Viá»t
Ù¾Ø§Ø±Ø³Û æ¥æ¬èª ÐÑлгаÑÑки
ÐакедонÑки Ðонгол Ð ÑÑÑкий
СÑпÑки УкÑаÑнÑÑка ×¢×ר×ת
اÙعربÙØ© اÙعربÙØ©
Home / Albomlar / Nashville - Free Our People Hearings, March 2006 37
Post date
Real_People_Real_Voices_2006
Abridged version of testimony on getting out of nursing homes and how that changed people's lives for the better. 7 hours of personal stories were shared by people with many kinds of disabilities at ADAPT hearing in Nashville TN in 2006. This video just includes highlights. Original music by D4Dub and Ballad of Josie Evans sung by Johnny Crescendo.
ADAPT (1657)
Testimony [ADAPT logo] Randy Alexander, Tennessee Glen Barnhill, Tennessee James Boyd, Tennessee Marvin Boyd, Tennessee Kurt Breslaw, Colorado Tameka Caleb, Pennsylvania Mike Clark, Kansas Connie Cummings, Ohio Sheila Dean, Colorado Margaret Peggy Dougherty, Pennsylvania Phyllis ElDahouk, Maryland Earl Ellison, Tennessee Bob Fesel, New Jersey Kari Foland, Georgia Roberta Gallant, NH Cathy Garber, Utah John Gladstone, Pennsylvania Oneda C Gordon, Georgia Dawn M. Green, Wisconsin Teresa Grove, Illinois Ken Hauser, New Jersey Charlie 'Buddie" Homiller, PA Rick James, Colorado Jeffrey Johnson, Wisconsin Chris Jones, Tennessee Rick Leotard, Colorado Devoe Mack, Colorado Lori Marabry, Tennessee Michelle McCandless, PA Mike McCarty, Colorado Frank McColm, Colorado Linda Merkle, Maryland Albert Metz, Texas Angela Miller, Washington DC Richard Miller, New York Samuel Mitchelle, Georgia Shelly Perrin, New York Daniel Remick, Wisconsin Elizabeth Richter, Connecticut Dorothy Ruffin, Pennsylvania Larry Ruiz, Colorado Eileen "Spitfire" Sabel, PA Danny Saenz, Texas Steve Schaefer, Illinois Rebecca Schefer, New Jersey Dane Scotin, Georgia Jean Searle, Pennsylvania Dan Smith, Utah Gene Spinning, New York Rance Stewart, Tennessee Floyd Stewart, Jr., Tennessee Pam Stover, New York Gordon Sunny, Indiana Greg Sutton, Georgia Mike Taylor, Tennessee Daryl Teague, Pennsylvania Zella Tegtmeier, Texas James JT Templeton, Texas Lype Vasquez, Texas Erik Von Schmetterling, PA Sarah Wendell, Vermont Jamie Ziegler, Illinois [next page] ADAPTs Day of Testimony Documenting the Institutional Bias in the American Long Term Care System. Real People, Real Voices Sunday, March 19, 2006 Nashville, Tennessee Hilton Hotel Volunteer Ballroom [ADAPT logo]
ADAPT (1656)
[Headline] Real People-Real Voices ADAPT has come to Nashville, Tennessee to document the impact of the institutional bias in the American long term care system on the lives of REAL PEOPLE. Tennessee highlights the failure of policy makers in our state and federal governments to bring REAL CHOICES to people with disabilities and their families who are in need of long term services and sup-ports to live in the community. ADAPT's Day of Testimony will record "Real Voices" of "Real People" who have experienced the isolation of be-ing warehoused in the institutions of the United States. These REAL VOICES will provide evidence of the need to reform the institutionally biased long term care system. Their voices must be heard and no longer be ignored by our State Legislatures and Congress. [Subheading] Sponsors Permobil Inc Tennessee Disability Coalition SEIU Delta Resource Center for Independent Living Arc of Tennessee Nashville Peace and Justice Coalition Special Thanks to the AAPD for providing Sign-Language Interrupters. [Subheading] Schedule 9:30 am Introduction of the National Panel 10:00 Lois Curtis Introduced by Cassie James Johnny Crescendo--Josie 10:30 Testimony – Tennessee 12:15 pm Diane Coleman – Free Our People! 1:00 Testimony – National 2:30 Break 3:00 Testimony National 4:45 Closing Stephanie Thomas Johnny Crescendo—Tear Down The Walls. Panelists: American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), ADAWatch, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), National Council on Disability (NCD), Department of Health and Human Services-Office on Disabilities www.adapt.org
ADAPT (1655)
ADAPT (1654)
[Headline] ADAPT Action, Nashville Tennessee [Subheading] Sunday, March 19, 2006. [Subheading] ADAPT's Day of Testimony NASHVILLE -- Testimony of rape, abuse, neglect and lonely death given by survivors of institutionalization filled the Volunteer Ballroom of the Hilton in downtown Nashville. ADAPT, the nation's largest grassroots direct-action organization of people with disabilities, coordinated witnesses for the first ever National Day of Testimony to document the human impact of the institutional bias in the United States. The Volunteer Ballroom was packed with people from across the nation who had come to bear witness. LaTonya Reeves moved away from her family in Memphis to avoid returning [image] [image caption] Rally at Legislative Plaza. Photo by Tim Wheat [text continues] to a nursing home. Tennessee does not offer alternatives to expensive and undesirable institutions forcing citizens like LaTonya to leave home for a facility. "One day I had an accident and the nurse made me wash my face in it," Ms. Reeves said about the nursing home where she once lived. "She filled the bathtub with cold water and made me stay there for two hours. She said: If you don't stop screaming I'll come and drown you.'" The sixty witnesses were individuals that had been placed in an institution because of a disability and had successfully moved out of the facility into their own home. The national panel was made up of private and government organizations that deal with disability policy: Andrew J. Imparato from the Ticket to Work advisory council, Jim Ward the leader of ADAWatch, John Lancaster the Executive Director of National Council on Independent Living, Gwen Gillenwater of American Association of People with Disabilities and the Medicaid Commission, Dr. Margaret Giannini, Director of the Health and Human Service Office on Disability, and Carol Novak of the National Council on Disability. "These nightmares are only the tip of the iceberg, they are the voice for so many voices that cannot be heard," said Stephanie Thomas of ADAPT. "The fact of the matter is for that system what people with disabilities really are is the crop. We are the crop. We are there to fill beds, so they are warm beds, so they get paid. That is what it is about, and that is what it's got to stop being about. It's got to be about people's lives, and that is the voice we have got to give the message this week. That is the voice we have to bring out there. Yeah it is a nightmare, but I will tell you something else that you hear when you listen to those stories: The people that told them are damn strong people." The testimony is intended to put a human face on immoral policy of requiring expensive institutional services while making home and community based services optional. Because of this built-in bias in Medicaid policy, the lion's share of pub-lic funding goes to the nursing home [boxed text] "These nightmares are only the tip of the iceberg . ." [image] [image caption] Danny Saenz of Austin TX, testifies. Photo by Tim Wheat [text resumes] industry and state institutions. States like Tennessee are tempted to cut home and community-based services to save on the federal Medicaid spending, even though those are the more desirable and cost-effective programs. The fractured federal policy makes it possible for people like LaTonya to leave a nursing home in Tennessee to live and work in another US state where she can receive home and community-based services. A banner across the back of the auditorium where the testimony was given showed the Colorado and Tennessee state flags on either end of the sign. Between the flags were photos of about a dozen people who had followed the trail LaTonya blazed. The caption: "The Underground Rail Road," comparing escaping institutions to crossing state lines to flee slavery. The national panelists expressed their shock. Mr. Jim Ward noted that Robert Kennedy had gone to see the inhuman conditions at Willowbrook forty years ago on this day. Willowbrook later became the impetus for many reforms laws of abusive and neglectful institutions. Andy Imparteo noted his surprise that about four-out-of-five witnesses spoke of forced medication as an unnoticed form of abuse. "Today I heard your message, a strong message," he said, "that there are ongoing human rights violations inside institutions." "I am most impressed by the abuse and neglect," said Dr. Margaret Giannini, "I believe you will help to change the system and end this institutional bias." [Subheading] Monday, March 20, 2006. Just Like a Nursing Home, You Can't Get Out At 11:00 ADAPT Activists charged out into the rain wearing ponchos, raincoats and trash bags, sometimes all three. Duct tape held the plastic in place most often to protect legs from the cold windy rain and also to cover exposed powerchair controls. It took the group about forty-five minutes to move from the Hilton Hotel to the corner of Union and 6th Street chanting along the way. "It was wild on the march up to the Capitol," said Bruce Darling of Rochester, "some people along the sidewalk joined in with ADAPT on the chant 'up with attendant care,' they were really getting into it and yelling back: 'down with the nursing homes.'" At 12:30 ADAPT gathered on Legislative Plaza for a rally. The rain had slacked, but the open plaza was exposed to a bitter wind and the group huddled together. The long line of activists moving on the streets had transformed into a massive clump of people at the plaza steps. The Greek columns at the peak of the Legislative Plaza steps were decorated with ADAPT banners and a sound system helped rally speakers contend with the blustery weather. Bob Kafka started the chant: "Governor Bredesen shame on you." [image] [image caption] Activists block Dedrick Street. Photo by Tim Wheat Deborah Cunningham, the Executive Director of the Memphis Center for Independent Living welcomed everyone to Nashville and told of the serious need for reform in Tennessee. She set the stage for the day's action by calling for support for the Community Choices Act of 2006, which would not cost taxpayers anything, but would give Tennesseans a choice in long term care services and not be forced into a nursing home. "We must have choices," she said. "We are serious, we will be back and we won't stop." Following the rally in the cold and rainy wind at Legislative Plaza, ADAPT divided up into smaller groups and suddenly moved into the middle of several major downtown streets. Metro Police and Tennessee State Troopers rerouted traffic away from the blocked intersections making a large impassable area around the Capitol. "The cops did not know what was coming at them," said Chris Hildebrandt of Rochester, "before they knew, everyone was in place. It became pretty intense at some of the parking places, but our people were great, they held their ground and showed our determination to change the immoral polices in our country." Over one hundred activists were arrested or cited by Nashville Metro Police as ADAPT blocked six downtown inter-sections, all exit roads from the Capitol, and demanded that Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen support alternatives to expensive and undesirable nursing homes. For seven hours ADAPT blocked traffic to and from the capitol area on /4. Charlotte, Deadrick, Union, 6th, 7th and 8th streets. At 4:30 the tension level rose as state employees finished work and many found they had no way to get home. Cars pushed on the line of protestors and honked. Heated banter was exchanged as many people got out of their cars and confronted the activists. The state employees could see the Metro Police and State Troopers a block further away rerouting traffic which gave the impression that they were not assisting. Governor Bredesen also fed this misunderstanding and seemed to fault the police for the tension. The governor obviously does not mind being a leader of a state that segregates people with disabilities," said Randy Alexander of Memphis, "all he wants to do is place blame and say it is somebody else's fault. He is a coward. [Subheading] Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Governor, Governor hear our shout: 6,700 want to get out! ADAPT again demonstrated in front of the Tennessee State Capitol and blocked Charlotte Avenue demanding that Governor Bredesen end the immoral and inhuman policies that split families and segregate people with disabilities. The governor ringed the Tennessee Capitol with state troopers and barricaded the entrances to keep the single sheet of paper with the ADAPT demands from reaching his office. Retreating into his sanctuary from the citizens, the governor again refused to support the Community Choices Act or meet with ADAPT. "We are just asking to be treated like human beings," said Don DeVaul of Tennessee. "The governor wants to put us into a warehouse, I might as well get started now." Accessible paddy wagons arrived just ten minutes after a group of about 60 returned from an attempt to enter the Capitol Building. The state troopers were obstructing all of the entrances to the public building with vehicles and a line of troopers at the front steps. The ADAPT group, unable to enter the building, headed out to the street and blocked traffic along Charlotte Avenue in front of the capitol. "I am going to jail because people are dying without the option to get out of nursing homes," said Ken Walla of ADAPT. "I am going to jail for freedom." Activists using wheelchairs were handcuffed in the street and Metro Police carried off those not using wheelchairs. Hundreds of ADAPT activists lined the sidewalk nearby in the cold wind, chanting support for those being arrested. "The Nashville Chief of Police noted that locking people with disabilities away is costly to the taxpayers," said Dawn Russell of ADAPT. "Why are nursing homes any different than jails? The Chief sadly implies that docile incarceration in a nursing home is acceptable. For people with disabilities to be angry at their jailors is shameful and a waste of tax money." Following up a demonstration yesterday, ADAPT continued to demand that Tennessee change state policies that force citizens from their homes and families into expensive and un-desirable institutions. Around one hundred activists were cited on Monday in the downtown streets of Nashville as ADAPT blocked six intersections and detained thousands of state employees. State money currently is paid to facilities that ware [image] [image caption] Dawn Russell in handcuffs. Photo by Tim Wheat [text resumes] house people, but the Community Choices Act would allow that money to follow the person into the community and get the services they may need in their own home. "Bredesen does not like the light being shown on what living in a nursing home is really like," said Bob Kafka over the public address system outside the Capitol. "Tennessee spends $160 on nursing homes for every dollar the state spends on home and community based services. If Bredesen thinks that nursing homes are one-hundred-and-sixty times better than your own home, we challenge him to leave his home on Chickering Road and stay in the nursing home of his choice for a few days." The day began for the ADAPT activists with a march to the Capitol Building through the streets of Nashville. The group of 500 activists stretched several blocks as they made their way in the streets rather than use the sidewalks with Metro Police blocking traffic along the route. At the conclusion of the march, ADAPT held a press conference along Charlotte Ave. in view of Governor Bredesen's office. The day was windy and cold with only a slight bit of rain. [Subheading] Wednesday, March 22, 2006. Our Homes, Not Nursing Homes ADAPT delivered a message to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office in Tennessee that ADAPT demands the federal housing department make housing vouchers available to get people out of Nursing Homes. Gathering two miles north, however, ADAPT's presence in the city caused the Capitol to be closed to the public. "We are going to pursue Alphonso Jackson everyplace he goes and find him wherever he is," said Cassie James of ADAPT. "For sixty-seven hundred in Tennessee and thousands upon thousands around the country who cannot get out of institutions, let's make April a month that Alphonso Jackson will never forget." Before gathering at the HUD office, the ADAPT activists marched to the front door of the TennCare Bureau on Great Circle Road and were greeted at the en-trance by a line of state troopers. Activists from Tennessee led the group up to the officers but stopped short of passing through the line. The ADAPT line continued past the entrance, leaving the Tennessee group facing off with the State Troopers. A large cardboard sign pushed right up to the officers read: "Dear Steve Hopper: 6,700 disabled people want out of nursing homes. Support Money Follows the Person, -ADAPT." The Tennessee group that led the procession confronted the officers for about ten minutes as the long line of activists passed, rejoining the end of the column and leaving the note at the State Troopers feet. Although ADAPT was no-where near the Tennessee State Capitol today, the complex was shutdown to all but scheduled [image] [image caption] Note is left at State Troopers' feet. Photo by Tim Wheat business. The move was likely to make the offices less of a target for ADAPT but the extreme measure shows the extent of the governor’s fear of light being shined on the typically veiled plight of people in institutions. The state of Tennessee has chosen to fund almost exclusively expensive and undesirable facilities to provide long—term care. The costly state dependence on inefficient and immoral long—term service delivery clashes with Governor Bredesen's self-proclaimed reformer status. "For the safety of the people who are there and safety of the public in general, we've got it closed at this time," said Col. Mike Walker, commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. At the HUD office ADAPT gathered at the entrance but did not block access. The group packed the small concrete apron outside the door and chanted “our homes not nursing homes.” Just before 2:00 PM, Cassie James spoke to the crowd, and asked to speak with the Director of the HUD office. "For the people of Tennessee it has taken a long time," said Deborah Cunningham, Executive Director of the Memphis Center for Independent Living. "For the past twenty-years we have been working to get people out of nursing homes and into affordable, accessible, integrated housing. Today proves we are serious and that we are committed to this struggle for however long it may take.” Following the speeches and a MacDonald's lunch, Deborah Cunningham, Cassie James and Sher Stewart of ADAPT, went into the office to speak with the local HUD director. In less than ten minutes they returned and announced that William H. Dirl had agreed to all the demands and would like to address ADAPT. ”I came down here to listen to you, I will hear what you have to say. I have been given a letter that I assure you that will get to Secretary Jackson.” Said Mr. Dirl. "I understand that the major concern as it relates to I-IUD is vouchers. That is a concern that we are worried about also. We will certainly make sure that your wishes and your concerns make it to the highest levels, which is Secretary Jackson.” "He agreed with us and was very concerned about the vouchers,” said Ms. Cunningham. ”I believe that he understands the need." [boxed text] Tennessee does not offer alternatives to expensive and undesirable institutions. Joaquin Martinez at HUD Photo by Tim Wheat
ADAPT (1653)
[This page continues the article from Image 1654. The full text is available on 1654 for easier reading.]
ADAPT (1652)
[This page continues the article from Image 1654. Full text is available on 1654 for easier reading.]
ADAPT (1651)
[This page continues the article from Image 1654. Full text is available on 1654 for easier reading.]
ADAPT (1650)
[This page continues the article from Image 1654. Full text is available on 1654 for easier reading.]
ADAPT (1649)
[This page continues the article from Image 1654. Full text is available on 1654 for easier reading.]
ADAPT (1648)
[This page continues the article from Image 1654. Full text is available on 1654 for easier reading.]
ADAPT (1647)
ADAPT (1646)
[Headline] Protest shuts down downtown [image] [image caption] Members of the health care group ADAPT block streets demanding a meeting with the governor and creating havoc for drivers. Page 3 [boxed text] Is blocking traffic a valid way to protest? Vote online at Nashvillepaper.com
ADAPT (1645)
[Headline] Group takes protest to the streets Dozens of demonstrators arrested afler protesting for about seven hours near state Capitol A group of about 500 protesters. demanding more dollars for homebased health care services and an audience with Gov. Phil Bredesen, blockaded several intersections around the state Capitol Monday, disrupting downtown traffic for at least seven hours as about 80 of them were arrested. “Just like a nursing home — you can’t get out,” protesters fiom the national advocacy group ADAPT chanted outside of Legislative Plaza at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Deaderick Street. The plaza houses many state lawmakers and their staffers. The protesters, many of whom were disabled and coming from across the country to attend the demonstration, were advocating that Tennessee give its citizens more choices, and dollars, on whether to be in a nursing home or receive medical care actually in their homes. “What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!” they chanted. To spread that message, the protesters requested a meeting with Bredesen, but the governor’s oflice dismissed those requests, adding that the protest’s organizers had endangered the disabled demonstrators by exposing them to Monday's frigid temperatures. “This is a national professional protest group and (Monday’s) action is an extreme publicity stunt that has created a serious disruption to downtown businesses and state employees,” said Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker. But while that “serious disruption“ took place, Metro Police, joined by a few troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, allowed the protesters to block the streets from about 12:30 p.m. until about 5:40 p.m. Metro's decision lefl some state lawmakers, many of whom arrived in Nashville Monday. upset because the access to their parking garage in Legislative Plaza was blocked. “(Metro’s) scared of (the protesters).“ said Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville). “They're all gutless." Tim Wheat, a resident from Boulder, Colo. is the first protester to be arrested Monday by Metro Nashville Police Then, Metro Police decided enough was enough. At 5:40 p.m., a Metro Police officer announced to the intersection of Eighth and Charlotte avenues that anyone obstructing the roadways would be arrested, and they were. Some protesters then cleared the road, while others lingered in the middle of the street, blocking eager state employees’ cars from going home, all the while being cheered on by on-looking demonstrators. “Our home — not a nursing home,” they chanted. The Eighth and Charlotte avenues blockade caused dozens, if not more than 100, cars of state employees to be delayed rom leaving work. Some state employees wondered why they were being targeted by the protesters since they lack a direct public policy choice on home-based care. “I think they are trying to get the message to the wrong people,” said state employee John Douglas, who sat waiting in his car, which was blocked by others hoping to exit onto Charlotte. “I just want to go home.” A few of the bolder demonstrators actually laid down in front of state employees’ cars to plead for their cause. Those, and a few others who blatantly ignored Metro Police, were arrested at the intersection of Eighth and Charlotte. Metro then proceeded to the other intersections to see if other protesters were blocking the roadways. At about 8 p.m., state employees in Legislative Plaza were told they could go home. The demonstrators, many of whom said they wanted to be arrested, got their wish. At 8:30 p.m., Metro Police officers on the scene said about 80 to 90 protesters have been issued citations for blocking roadways. About seven to 10 of those were actually taken into custody, with one being charged with assault. A small group of about 40 demonstrators remained, huddled under what shelter was available while a cold drizzle smattered their ponchos.
ADAPT (1644)
3 www.tennessean.com The Tennesseean Wednesday, March 22, 2006 3A Nation From Page 1A Police officials said they did not know of the roadblocking plans of the activists, who are members of the group American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT. Nor did they make arrangements for wheelchair-accessible vans and buses to be used right at rush hour to arrest large numbers of ADAPT protesters Those vehicles didn't show up until later in the day. Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas yesterday called the groups roadblocking “spontaneous,” and said in e-mail to The Tennessean that Metro “had no forewarning that this was going to be their behavior.” The ADAPT members. in town for a national meeting, made a mess of Monday afiemoon traffic for state workers by using themselves and their wheelchairs to block several key intersections around the Capitol. The streets they chose effectively boxed in drivers in several parking ‘garages and large surface lots designated for state workers. The Tennessee Tower, for instance, in the heart of the protest zone, is the workplace for 2,300 people. Many state workers left work late —- and angry. Secretary Carolyn Newman said she needed medicine at home that she takes for her epilepsy. “At 7:30, I was beginning to get a little frightened." she said She said she asked the protesters to let her leave and they refused That was stunning, she said. because the group was hurting many of the rank-and-file workers who joined state govemment to help people Now, this group was preventing many from picking up children at day care, catching planes, or getting medicine. ‘They said, ‘We don't have our medicine, either,‘ " Newman said. “Don't they know we are the people up here helping people?" The group blocked only one street yesterday, Charlotte Avenue, in front of the Capitol It prevented no workers from leaving Meanwhile, Metro officials appeared more prepared to make arrests yesterday and had the equipment on hand they needed to cart away numerous people in wheelchairs Starting at 4:30 p.m., police arrests began- 44 in all. On Monday, the people blocking the streets couldn’t be arrested because Metro had no way to carry them to jail until traflic had been blocked for hours. “In order to accomplish mass physical arrests of wheelchair bound individuals, we would need specially equipped vans and vehicles such as those used by MTA and the school system,” Serpas said. ‘These vehicles were in use and were not available until late in the day.” ADAPT has chalked up a history of civil disobedience since its founding in 1983, and has gotten results: The group was crucial in getting wheelchair lifts installed on buses nationwide. The group, which has offices in Austin, Texas, and Denver, has chapters throughout the US, including Tennessee, and can mobilize activists to meet at cities to protest for the rights of those who have disabilities — and, at times, get arrested doing so. indeed, almost a year to the day after the Tennessee State Capitol shutdown, the group, using wheelchairs, canes and bodies, blocked a budget committee room at the Colorado state Capitol in Denver. Protesters stayed until a lawmaker agreed to listen to their demands Also last year, the group staged similar actions in two Pennsylvania cities, Lebanon and the capital, Harrisburg And 104 ADAPT members were arrested in September when they occupied congressional offices in Washington The protesters’ point, the group said, was to show people what it is like to have trouble going from place to place. “People have ignored us," said protester Bob Kafka, 60, from Austin, Texas. “You don't understand the urine, the feces, the bedsores.” In the 1993 Nashville protest about 100 members of the group were arrested at the Opryland Hotel They tried entering the hotel to confront officials of the American Health Care Association, a national nursing home group that was meeting there A news release from the group on March3 announcing its meeting in Nashville — to listen to testimony — alluded to civil disobedience. It said “People have been asking me. ‘Why Nashville?" as the site for this hearing,‘ wrote Randy Alexander, Tennessee ADAPT organizer. ‘I tell them, where better? After all, Tennessee has a history of being the site of some of this country's seminal civil rights demonstrations'“ [image] [image caption] Blocked in. Protesters from the group ADAPT barred state workers from getting out of downtown Monday evening after shutting off key key intersections near parking garages for major state office complexes. [image] [image caption] Protesters from American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT, block Charlotte Avenue yesterday. Metro police brought in buses to carry many of the protesters to jail. Sanford Myers/ Staff