[Headline] ADAPT rallies one more time
By David Wahlberg
Lansing State Journal

Protesters with disabilities wrapped up in a three-day siege of Lansing institutions Wednesday by blocking off Capitol entrances and demanding attention from Gov. John Engler.

"How about we show them what it's like to be in a nursing home," said Verna Spayth of Ann Arbor, dispatching about 300 members of Denver-based American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT, to position their wheelchairs and walkers at noon in front of all Capitol doors.

"We're ADAPT, you're trapped, get used to it," the demonstrators chanted, interspersed with "Engler, Engler cut the crap. Now it's time to face ADAPT."

Engler spokesman John Truscott issued a statement saying the governor supports ADAPT's goal of funneling more Medicaid money to in-home services and reducing dependency on nursing homes.

"It is obvious that your protests in Lansing have been misdirected," Truscott said.

Ben Martin, a 64-year-old retired House worker visiting the Capitol to check on retirement benefits, managed to slip out the south entrance between wheelchairs.

"it's kind of tough to get out, but I think they have a right to what they're doing," he said. "They've got a point of view, and they're getting screwed."

By 2 p.m., police had carved a trail to the front door, allowing legislators and others to get in.

Schoolchildren on tours were frightened by the protest, and some demonstrators were removed from the scene, officials said.

ADAPT is targeting Michigan because Engler is a Republican leader of welfare reform, group leaders said.

"He will only give enough money for one wheelchair for each person for their whole life," said Charles Johnson, 48, of Detroit.

"Nobody can last a whole lifetime with one chair unless thye do stay in a nursing home."

ADAPT has been active in Lansing since Monday morning, when the group took over Waldenbooks stores in Lansing Mall and Meridian Mall, pulling copies of House Speaker Newt Gingrich's "To Renew America" off of shelves.

Monday afternoon, it protested at the state Republican Party headquarters, and on Tuesday about 150 group members surrounded Engler's home.

[Image]
[Image caption] Capitol protest: State police officers remove American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today protesters from the Capitol doorways Wednesday. Members of the group blocked entrances and exits of the Capitol following a rally. Photo by: Rod Sanford/Lansing State

建立於

星期二 16 七月 2013

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星期一 23 九月 2019

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2013:07:16 14:13:57

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