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დასაწყისი / გალერეა / სიტყვა Bill Bolte 20
- ADAPT (386)
Montreal Daily News Title: A wheelchair Army Goes to War! [This article continues in ADAPT 385 but the entire text is included here for easier reading.] Photo 1 by ALLAN R LEISHMAN/Montreal Daily News: In a crowd of uniformed police officers and others, two policemen stand on either side of a protester sitting on the wet ground. The protester sits, back to the camera, wearing a cap and his face and head are obscured by a white trash bag under his jacket. These two police officers are looking back beside the camera. The police barricade is just visible in front of the protester. Caption: Roundup: Police are kept busy by demonstrators last night. Photo 2 on the left and below the other photo by ALLAN R LEISHMAN/Daily News: A person in a manual wheelchair is tipped completely back by attendant and protester Jan Ingram the front wheels of the chair are hooked over a very low heavy metal barrier. Behind that barrier are standard police barricades and uniformed officers are standing behind them. One policeman is in between the standard barricades and the low barrier and he is looking at other officers and pointing at the person in the wheelchair. Caption: Protesting: One of the wheelchair demonstrators near the barricaded Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Title: 25 arrested in downtown demonstration by Ron Charles Montreal Daily News MUC police arrested 25 wheelchair-bound demonstrators last night after they forced their way into the lobby of the Sheraton Centre in downtown Montreal. The demonstrators were protesting the American Public Transit Association's (APTA) reluctance to endorse wheelchair lifts on new buses. They crashed their wheelchairs through a luggage-cart barrier hotel employees had built in an attempt to ward off the protesters. [Subheading] Came along When APTA, a Washington-based transit authority organization, brought its annual conference to Montreal this week, the protesters came along as part of the ticket. The demonstrators, from a group called American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit (ADAPT), have been protesting at APTA conferences for eight years. Only a few members of a local disabled rights group took part in the demonstrations — the rest were from the U.S. Police said all those arrested — who are expected to be charged with assault — were American citizens, many of them Vietnam veterans. About 50 MUC police officers showed up to clear the Sheraton's marble-covered lobby after the protesters, singing "we want to ride," blocked elevators and escalators. Police wheeled the demonstrators one by one to a waiting wheel-chair bus being used as a paddy wagon. Police snipped chains linking protesters Mike Auberger and Bob Kafka's wheelchairs to a handrail in the lobby. Although the APTA conference is taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, some of the 3,000 attendees are staying at the Sheraton. Earlier in the day, police turned the Queen Elizabeth into a fortress with metal street barriers as about 75 demonstrators wheeled toward the APTA conference headquarters. They blocked traffic in both directions on Dorchester for more than two hours as police tried to pen the group in with the barriers. Police took two protesters who had crashed the barriers out of their chairs in order to lift them and their chairs over the barriers. [Subheading] Took chair "The police took his chair away, separated him from his legs," said Lori Taylor as she watched from the side-walk when police lifted her husband, Lester, over the barrier. "He can't walk, he's just sitting on the wet ground and all he wants to do is ride a bus like you and me." Bill Bolte, who started ADAPT's Los Angeles chapter, said police overreacted to the demonstration. "This really confuses me because I know that after the Canadians (hockey team) won the Stanley Cup, all types of terrible activity went on," said Bolte. "People overturned cars while everyone, including the police, just looked the other way and went and had a cup of coffee." Several demonstrators who broke through the police perimeter smashed their chairs into barriers in front of the hotel entrance, but hotel security and police stood their ground. Police arrested some 25 wheelchair demonstrators after they forced their way into the lobby of the Sheraton Centre. They were protesting the American public transit association’s reluctance to endorse wheelchair lifts on new buses. It was showdown time yesterday, as wheelchair-bound protesters took on city cops outside the Sheraton hotel on Dorchester Boulevard Some demonstrators where roughly carried and wheeled away as the melee grew ugly. The protesters were making their case for better accessibility to buses at the American Public Transit Association convention. - ADAPT (401)
St. Louis Post Dispatch (May 18, 1988) PHOTO by Ted Dargan/Post Dispatch: About a dozen people in wheelchairs surround a bus in the middle of a street. A man in a white short sleeved button down shirt and dark pants stands to one side with his hands on his hips, looking at the ground. The photo is grainy so it is hard to tell who the protesters are, but several wear ADAPT shirts and several have large posters taped across their legs. George Florum sits by the bus' left front wheel. Caption: The driver of a Greyhound bus leaving his vehicle Tuesday after it was surrounded by protesters on Sixth Street near the Greyhound Terminal. The protesters are members of American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit. Title: Disabled People Block Buses, 37 Arrested By Mark Schlinkmann, Regional Political Correspondent Thirty-seven protesters, almost all of them in wheelchairs, were arrested Tuesday afternoon as they blocked buses from entering and leaving the Greyhound Lines terminal downtown. Police also arrested a man from Ohio after he became Involved in a scuffle with two protesters. Police said the man, who was later released without being charged, might have been irritated at the delay in a bus departure caused by the demonstration. The incident, which shut down traffic at the terminal on and off for almost three hours, took place on the third day in a row of protests by disabled people seeking the installation of wheelchair lifts on all buses in the United States. The group, called the American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit, or ADAPT, is in St. Louis because the American Public Transit Association is meeting at the Omni International Hotel. But after two days of protesting at the hotel, the target shifted Tuesday to the Greyhound terminal, at 801 North Broadway. "We demand that they serve all the public, including us," said Bill Bolte of Los Angeles as he and others blocked a bus on Sixth Street from entering the terminal. "We're going to stop their buses everywhere until they stop treating us as less than greyhounds." Boite and others complained that Greyhound allowed disabled people with wheelchairs to travel only if were accompanied by a companion. George Gravley, public relations director or the bus line, defended the company's policies in a telephone interview from his office, in Dallas. While the company lacks mechanical lifts, he said, it for years has had a program that provides a free ticket to a companion of any disabled traveler. The protesters began arriving at the terminal around noon. First, a few people began blocking two entrances to a parking lot on the east side of the terminal along Broadway. Then, when a bus without passengers drove toward the west-side entrance, on Sixth, several protesters wheeled up to block its path. Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the group grew in number to about 20. Police, meanwhile, blocked off Sixth between Convention Plaza and Cole Street to traffic. Other incoming buses were forced to bide their time elsewhere. About 1:30 p.m., Police Capt. Clarence Harmon informed the protesters that they were breaking the law and would be arrested if they refused to move. While that was being mulled over, police said, a man identified as Donald Keiper, 63, of Ridgeville, Ohio, walked from the terminal area and grabbed a wheelchair in which Barbara Guthrie, 48, of Colorado Springs, Colo., was sitting. Keiper started to move Guthrie's wheelchair, but another protester in a wheelchair, Ernest Taylor of Denver, intervened, and a brief scuffle ensued, Police then arrested Keiper. He was released later: warrants were :_aken under advisement. Police said no injuries had resulted. Police later arrested Guthrie, Taylor and the other protesters, some for blocking buses inside the terminal area. The process was slow because the wheelchairs had to be lifted mechanically onto Bi-State buses and vans, which hauled them to the City Workhouse. The episode was over about 3 p.m. The circuit attorney's office said Tuesday night that the protesters had been released on their promise to appear in court after being charged with general peace disturbance, a misdemeanor. Late Tuesday afternoon, Circuit Judge Robert H. Dierker Jr. denied a request from Jerome Schlichter, an attorney from St Louis who is representing ADAPT, for a court order regarding blood tests. Schlichter's request was denied after the city stated that it was not requiring the people arrested to undergo mandatory testing and that only those who agreed to the practice voluntarily were being tested. But Schlichter said ADAPT continued to allege that blood tests were taken without consent Sunday night at the Workhouse from a group of 41 protesters arrested that day in front of the Omni. Bill Bryan and William C. Lhotka of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed information for this story. - ADAPT (433)
Transit activists wheel into action on South Shore By PEGGY CURRAN Of the Gazette In March, Bill Bolte took a sledge-hammer to Hollywood's star-studded Walk of Fame because it wasn't wheelchair-accessible. Bolte was arrested, although the vandalism charge was dropped, he says, "in the interests of justice." Six months later, Bolte says the city of Los Angeles has come up with $360,000 to cut access ramps along the 2.5-kilometre sidewalk. On Monday night, the wheelchair-bound American was arrested again - for the 14th time - when he chained himself to the doors of the underground parking garage at Place Ville Marie. Released from Bordeaux Jail yesterday but banned from demonstrating on the island of Montreal, he joined about 20 disabled people who took their crusade for better public transit across the bridge. There were no arrests during the brief, boisterous sit-in at the Brossard bus terminal. But Bolte said another arrest was a risk he was ready to take as a member of ADAPT - American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit. [Subheading] `Not willing to go last' "Our only ability is to embarrass and expose the position of the able-bodied power structure, which is basically 'You go last,' " Bolte said. "Well, we aren't willing to go last any more." For about half an hour during afternoon rush hour, members of ADAPT and their supporters staged a rowdy demonstration at the terminal on Taschereau Blvd. Chanting "we will ride," about five disabled people parked their wheelchairs in front of a Montreal-bound bus. That forced the South Shore transit authority to empty the bus and have passengers board other buses idling on Taschereau Blvd. One of the disabled protesters, Marthe Bail of Quebec City, succeeded in boarding the bus by pulling herself out of her wheelchair and clinging to the handrails. Bail, one of only four Quebecers who took part in yesterday's protest, said disabled Quebecers have a fundamental right to public transit. And she said they shouldn't have to rely on the woefully inadequate service now provided. [Subheading] Sympathetic response In Montreal, for instance, she said disabled passengers must make reservations 48 hours in advance whenever they want to use the service. And the buses don't cross bridges, ruling out trips to Laval and the South Shore. Pierre Beaudoin, whose bus was blocked by the protesters, said he respects their demands. Beaudoin said he believes it would be possible to redesign regular buses to provide access to the disabled by installing lifts and setting aside space for wheelchairs. For the most part, commuters who witnessed the demonstration were also sympathetic. "They feel they have to do this to achieve their goals," said Andre Plante. "Who are we to complain? What's a delay of a few minutes? These people are handicapped for life." Brossard resident Francine Labrosse said she doesn't think ADAPT's demands are very realistic. I don't think the inside of the bus is wide enough for wheelchairs even if the lifts they want were installed," Labrosse said. "Of course, if the government decides it wants something anything is possible." But at least one South Shore resident was outraged by the demonstration. "How am I supposed to' get to work?" a livid Joseph Pacheco screamed at bus driver Beaudoin. "Am I supposed to take a taxi? That will cost me $11. Who is going to pay' for that?" - ADAPT (449)
The Daily Sparks Tribune Tuesday April 11, 1989 Photo 1 by Ken Johnston: Man (Bill Bolte) in a wheelchair, wearing glasses, bent forward, almost lying in his lap. He is holding up a sign that is only partially readable, "Give me a lift -- Not [the shaft]." Photo 2: A policeman in a cap and mirror sunglasses pushes a woman in a motorized wheelchair (Kim Horton) away from a glassy doorway. Kim is wearing the black ADAPT shirt with the access logo. Caption reads: Proving a point——-Bill Bolte of Los Angeles (above photo 1) got his message across Monday at John Ascuaga’s Nugget during the second day of protests aimed at the American Public Transit Association. Bolte said he will be out protesting again today. Kimberly Horton (below, photo 2) gets taken away after her arrest by Sparks police for blocking the entrance to the Sparks casino. The ADAPT handicapped rights group vows to continue picketing until the transit association's convention ends Wednesday. [Headline] 25 arrested on second day of demonstrations [Subheading] Protesters straining nerves, budgets By Faith Bremner Tribune Staff The handicapped protests in downtown Sparks are costing local residents time and money. Time in the sense that police officers who would otherwise be helping local citizens are spending their time keeping the peace on B Street. Money in the sense that the police and the court are working overtime just to keep up with the 100 or so demonstrators who are protesting the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) convention at the Nugget this week. “ While (the Sparks Police) are out there handling these individuals and if you call 911, the response times change dramatically," Sparks Municipal Court Judge Andy Cray said. The demonstrators come from all over the country and are members of the Denver, Colo. based American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation (ADAPT). They are demonstrating against APTA because that organization opposes the federal government forcing public transit authorities to install wheelchair lifts on all buses purchased with federal funds. APTA represents public transit authorities around the United States and Canada. In two days of protests, Sparks Police have arrested 72 demonstrators, mostly on charges of blocking fire access to the Nugget, obstructing police officers and assault and battery, Cray said. Most of those arrested Sunday, the first day of the protest, were given warnings and had their fines suspended, Cray said. Those who were rearrested Monday were given three day jail terms and fines ranging from $200 to $500, he said. The arrested were brought into court directly from B Street and checked out by two nurses, then arraigned and transported to jail via a special lift-equipped van, Cray said. The two judges worked until midnight both nights, Cray said, just to handle the crowd. Likewise the sheriff and the police department are working their crews overtime. The Sparks Police have canceled all days off and vacations and during the demonstrations called in all available officers Lt. Tony Zamboni said. "Everybody's tired and we've put in some long hours but morale is still relatively high," Zamboni said. Likewise, the Nugget is working its security guards overtime, spokesman Parley Johnson said. “I think it's hurting us a little bit but you have to feel sorry for these people,"Johnson said. “It's a tough situation. There but for the grace of God go I.” It has been business as usual at the Nugget, Johnson said, and few customers have been inconvenienced. “Most of our customers didn't realize what was going on," Johnson said. Meanwhile, ADAPT co-founder Mike Auberger complained that the Washoe County Consolidated Jail is unprepared to house the handicapped prisoners. As of this morning about 30 protesters were still in jail, Auberger said. Auberger, a quadriplegic, was arrested Sunday and posted bail and was released late Monday night. "There were only three people handling 30 people's medical needs and helping them to transfer from their chairs to the beds or the bathroom, the litany of what it takes for a disabled person to survive," Auberger said. “Most of the nurses and staff at the jail clearly had never dealt with disabled people. They had no idea what you were asking for." But Sheriff Vince Swinney denied that the jail is unprepared to handle the handicapped. “Somebody should realize this is what these people want to do," Swinney said of the group that has staged numerous similar demonstrations around the country. “If they were treated like royalty, they wouldn't be happy. And the media is playing it up 100 percent. I really think that we who have been here and will continue to be here deserve some credibility.“ - ADAPT (461)
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Monday APRIL 10, 1989 [Headline] 49 disabled protesters arrested in Sparks Photo by Cralg Sallor/Gazette-Journal: Two men in wheelchairs are being arrested by police in the middle of the street. The man on the left, Bob Kafka, is being bent forward in his chair and being handcuffed behind his back. Across his legs he has a poster but it is not readable from this copy. The man on the left, Bill Bolte, is sitting up hold a sign about Rights in front of his chest. The policeman is standing beside him bending forward to do something to his chair it seems. caption reads: CONFRONTATION: Sparks police arrested Bob Kafka, left, of Austin, Texas, and Bill Bolte of Los Angeles. Text box has the quote: 'My rights are worth fighting for.’ Bill Bolte/demonstrator [Headline] Public transit meeting draws demands for accessibility By Darcy De Leon/Gazelle-Journal Sparks police arrested 49 disabled protesters demanding accessibility to public buses during a protest Sunday aimed at national transit officials meeting at John Ascuaga's Nugget. About 75 wheelchair-bound members of Denver-based American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation (ADAPT) rushed two entrances of the hotel—casino about 3:15 p.m., but Nugget security officers and police inside blocked the doorways. ADAPT activists chanting, “Access is a civil right,” struggled to open the doors an confront officials with the American Public Transit Association (APTA) attending a five-day convention through Wednesday. Bob Kafka of Austin, Texas, and Bill Bolte, a Los Angeles resident, were the first protesters to he arrested. "My rights are worth fighting for," said Bolte, 57. “APTA is discriminating against us," said Kafka, who has used a wheelchair since breaking his neck in a car accident at the age of 26. "We feel that APTA is to the disabled what the KKK is to the black community.“ At the height of the protest police dragged away three demonstrators lying in the casino entrance. No injuries were reported, police said. Sparks police Lt. Tony Zamboni said that as of late Sunday night, five of the 49 demonstrators arrested had been transferred to the Washoe County jail, after their arraignment in Sparks Municipal Court. They were being held in lieu of $1,025 bond for investigation of obstructing traffic, obstructing a police officer an blocking a fire exit, Zamboni said. Arraignments continued Sunday night for the remaining protesters. Disabled residents from Reno and 30 other cities throughout the country joined in the protest of an expected appeal of a federal court order that requires all public bus systems to be equipped for wheelchairs. ADAPT filed a lawsuit asking for the decision last year. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled in favor of the group in February. Demonstrators Sunday hoped to persuade the transit officials to work against the appeal, expected to be made by the U.S. Department of Transportation today. APTA spokesman Albert Engelken said the group's protests are “compelling and heart-rending." But he said APTA cannot afford a national mandate for the lifts, which cost $15,000 to install and even more to maintain. Engelken also cited low usage of the buses and suggested the lift requirement be a local option instead of a state mandate. “We're for accessible transportation for the disabled, and we do have it, but the local transit systems and the local disabled communities should decide what is needed because they know what's best." Reno’s Citifare would not be affected by the decision because transit officials already have made a commitment toward a 100 percent wheelchair-equipped bus system, said Bill Derrick, planning manager for the Regional Transportation Commission. All Citifare buses bought since 1984 are wheelchair-equipped, he said, and all non-equipped buses will be replaced by 1996. Mike Auberger, ADAPT founder and protest organizer, said the group has staged at least 14 demonstrations at APTA conferences during the last seven years throughout the United States and Canada. Auberger, 33, of Denver, who has been confined to a wheelchair since a bobsled accident 17 years ago, said demonstrators will follow APTA convention-goers for as long as it takes. “We’re not fighting Reno or any other city. We're fighting APTA,” he said. “We will go to jail, we'll get arrested, but so what — it's a misdemeanor. We'll do it again." Citifare accommodates the disabled more than some other cities, said Reno resident Dottie Spinnetta, 51, who suffers from muscular dystrophy and rides the buses five days a week. But RTC could improve the system by offering additional wheelchair space on the buses and bus pickups every 30 minutes instead of every hour. “I should be able to get around as everyone else can and not have to ask,” she said. “That’s what everybody wants — to be independent." The only drawbacks of using Citifare for John Civitello, 21, is that he has to get up at 4 a.m. to catch a 6 a.m. bus that takes him to his job with American Handicapped Workers. He then waits outside the office another hour until his workday begins at 8 a.m. PHOTO by Joanne Haskin: Two policemen are standing one behind the other, facing a third and behind him is a fourth officer who is using what looks like a video camera. All the police wear hats and are looking down. From their midst, the wild head of Arthur Campbell sticks out, his long white hair flying in different directions, a strange grin on his face and his intense eyebrows above his dark eyes. The police seem to be cradling him, and look down at him. Caption reads: Protest scuffle—Sparks police detain one of the ADAPT protesters that blocked the entrance to John Ascuaga's Nugget during a demonstration Sunday afternoon. Sparks police made a total of 49 arrests during the protest.