Lansing State Journal
Tuesday
October 24, 1995

[Image]
[Image caption] Handicapper group vents its rage. Voicing anger: Bob Liston of Ypsilanti, a member of American Disabled for Attendant Programs holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence, calling it "the real contract with America." Listo and other ADAPT members protested House Speaker Newt Gingrich's book, "To Renew America Monday at a Lansing Mall bookstore. Photo by CHRIS HOLMES/Lansing State Journal

[Headline] Handicappers protest Gingrich book at malls
[Subheading] Local Waldenbooks targeted; ADAPT also takes swings at Engler
By David Wahlberg Lansing State Journal

Scores of handicappers took over Waldenbooks stores in Lan-sing Mall and Meridian Mall Monday morning, pulling copies of Newt Gingrich's new book and demanding more federal money for in-home services.

"No more nursing homes!" [text cuts off] of Denver-based American Dis-abled for Attendant Programs, or ADAPT, at the Lansing Mall store. They Jammed the aisles and stripped two dozen of Gingrich's "To Renew America" books off the shelves.

"I was in prison in a nursing home for more than a year," said Dusty Hogue, 45, of Davison.

"They get you up when they want to, they feed you when they want to, they turn on the TV when they want to. We have a right to more than that."

ADAPT targeted Waldenbooks because the national bookstore [text cuts off] ADAPT's Michigan contingent is large, said Bob Liston of Ypsilanti.

In addition, Gov. John Engler, like Gingrich, is a Republican leader of welfare reform, he said.

ADAPT also protested Monday afternoon at state Republican Party headquarters on East Grand River Avenue. The group plans more events today and Wednesday before heading to other parts of the country.

"Newt's message Is 'community first ' Engler's message is 'family first' We'd like to be a part of the community and the family instead of being institutionalized," said the 41-year-old Liston, ADAPT coordinator for Michigan.

Dawn Lane, district manager for Waldenbooks at the Meridian Mall store, said the company faxed an ADAPT statement to House Speaker Gingrich's office Monday.

But the company will continue to stock his books, she said.

"Waldenbooks does not and cannot act as a censor. That would present an encroachment on the First Amendment."

The Lansing Mall store has sold more than 20 copies of Gingrich's book.

Protesters said Gingrich promised to funnel more Medicaid money to in-home services for handicappers, then went back on his word.

"He seems more interested in profits than people," said 40-year-old Michael Auberger, ADAPT national organizer in Denver.

"I have to use attendants every day," said Kelly Watson, 35, of Lansing. "They are not paid enough. They are very important."

The group drew a crowd of mall observers when 9-year-old Kyle Glozier of Wisconsin played the 1972 Hillside Singers hit "I'd like to Teach the World to Sing" on his mechanical voice keyboard. All the handicappers clapped and sang along.

In January 1994, ADAPT criticized downtown Lansing restaurants for not being accessible. In March 1994, it also protested the state Commission on Death and Dying because group members said the commission was not listening to handicappers.

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