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The Cincinnati Post, Wednesday, May 21, 1986 I-B
Title: Disabled activists may defy court order in bus protest
By Mary Kane, Post staff reporter
Wheelchair-bound activists are prepared to defy a court order today and force a showdown with city authorities over what rights the handicapped have to public transportation.
The Rev. Wade Blank, a founder of Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation, said three activists ordered to get out of town will hold a news conference at noon in front of the Westin Hotel.
Robert Kafka of Austin, Texas, George Cooper of Dallas and Michael Auberger of Denver risk being jailed on disorderly conduct charges if they show up at the Westin.
Judge David Albanese of Hamilton County Municipal Court on Monday ordered the three to leave Cincinnati Tuesday or forfeit their $3000 bonds. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 26.
The men were arrested Monday during a demonstration in front of the Westin, where conferees of the American Public Transportation Association are meeting.
The activists have been staying at a Newport hotel, an arrangement that does not violate Albanese's order. However, once inside Cincinnati city limits they are in violation.
Members of ADAPT, a national handicapped rights group, have pitted their wheelchairs against the steel frames of buses to protest what they call a lack of accessibility to public transportation for the handicapped.
Mr. Blank, a Presbyterian minister, said 12 severely handicapped ADAPT members also will attend the news conference today and announce their intent to block buses in the street.
That tactic is intended to challenge law enforcement authorities. Mr. Blank said police have been reluctant to arrest the most severely handicapped of the group. A member with cerebral palsy will be among today's protesters, he said.
Mr. Blank said the 12 will risk arrest by the action.
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- Thursday 11 July 2013
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- Wednesday 8 June 2016
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- ADAPT - American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation, banned from the city, Bob Kafka, George Cooper, Judge Albanese, Mike Auberger, press conference, public transit, Wade Blank, wheelchair bound
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