Wednesday, November 3, 1999 ■
The Columbus Dispatch /METRO

[Headline] Protest at state buildings might go on, group says

By Connie A. Higgins Dispatch Staff Reporter

A national disability-rights group might. continue protesting at government office buildings Downtown this week after a second day of arrests for trespassing.

Yesterday, State Highway Patrol troopers arrested 97 members of American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today at Rhodes Tower, 30 E. Broad St., and charged them with criminal trespassing, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. On Monday, 118 members of the group were charged with trespassing when they occupied two floors and the lobby of the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

Following the Riffe Center arrests, the state obtained a restraining order limiting the group's access to state buildings.

The activist group, with chapters in 39 states, has been in Columbus this week to support House Bill 215, legislation that would give people with disabilities more independent-living options.

Troopers said yesterday that they warned the protesters, many of whom were using wheelchairs, to disperse when they became rowdy by knocking on windows and blocking access to state employees. When five group members entered the building, troopers began making arrests. They carried protesters away in wheelchairs and onto handicap-accessible vans.

"We want to continue to send a message that we're running this in a very peaceful and safe manner," patrol Sgt. Gary Lewis said. He said the protesters were transported to the state fairgrounds, where they were processed and given a court date before being taken back to their Downtown hotel.

[pulled quote] "We want to continue to send a message that we're running this in a very peaceful and safe manner." SGT. GARY LEWIS State Highway Patrol

Mike Auberger, a co-founder of ADAPT, said members had gone to the Rhodes Tower to meet with Jacqui Romer-Sensky, director of the Ohio Department of Human Services. The meeting never took place.

Auberger said his group will continue to pro-test until they leave the city on Thursday.

"We may do the same thing tomorrow," he said yesterday. We have yet to determine \Pt hat location."

ADAPT members have said their attempts to meet with Gov. Bob Taft and other state representatives fizzled. They complained that Ohio is among states forcing people with disabilities to live in nursing homes and institutions instead of supporting community-based services.

State officials have said Ohio has increased its support for community-based services, and a Taft spokesman has said the governor was trying to arrange his schedule to meet with the group State Highway Patrol troopers carry Frank Lozano of El Paso, Texas, away from Rhodes Tower as Lozano's assistance dog, Neto, follows him to police vans. Lozano and other protesters were charged yesterday with criminal trespassing.

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[image caption] Neal C. Lauron /Dispatch

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