Title: Arresting Theater
By JIM FINKELSTEIN, Free Press Staff Writer

An estimated 25 handicapped protesters were arrested Tuesday as they charged police guarding the McNamara Federal Building Tuesday in a third day of what one protester called "theater" over public transit's limited use of lift-equipped vehicles.

Wave after wave of the estimated 100 protesters — many in wheelchairs and paralyzed, missing limbs, or suffering nerve disorders — were hauled away in lift-equipped vans while police photographers recorded the scene to ensure the protesters were properly arrested.

Michael Auberger, a spokesman for the 100-member American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation, vowed Tuesday that "we're going to escalate" the protest today and Thursday as the convention of the American Public Transit Association concludes at the Westin Hotel. “Everyone's willing to go" to jail. he added, hinting that the protest may move to the Westin today.

Seventeen ADAPT members were arrested Monday as they tried to crawl aboard city buses to protest the lack of wheelchair equipment on 80 of 100 buses recently purchased by the city.

THE DEMONSTRATORS want lift equipment on all new buses and trains purchased by U.S. public transit systems. The transit association won a court case to prevent more extensive federal regulations requiring lift equipment.

Tuesday, the protesters began chanting slogans in front of the McNamara Federal Building just before 1 p.m. ADAPT spokespersons said the group wanted to present a position paper to Sen. Donald Riegle, D-Mich., whose offices are in the building.

They refused a police offer to let two representatives meet with Riegle's aides, saying they wanted to send no fewer than nine.

Police blocked the entrance and then began arresting protesters who blocked the entrance — both wheelchair users and non-handicapped ADAPT aides.

Deputy Police Chief James Ingram said "a couple of hundred" police officers were given special training in arresting people who use wheelchairs.

PHOTOS:

Photo #1 Free Press Photo by GEORGE WALDMAN: A group of about 10 protesters chant out on the sidewalk in front of a large building. In front Bernard Baker and Stephanie Thomas, next row Kristen? (sitting alone), Fred (standing) & unknown, Renata Conrad (in manual) Marcos Quesada in wheelchairs. And Cathy Thomas and others in the background. Caption reads: Wheelchair-bound protesters chant outside the McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit.

Photo #2: Free Press Photo by MANNY CRISOSTOMO
Two uniformed police officers stand behind a man in a wheelchair (George Cooper) holding his push handles. The police are looking off into the distance and George holds a poster in his teeth that says "...With Liberty and Justice for All?" Caption reads: Detroit police officers carry George Cooper, of Irving, Tex., away from the scene.

Photo #3: Free Press Photo by MANNY CRISOSTOMO
A woman in a wheelchair (Paulette Patterson) holding the Holy Bible to her chest and with a pained and tearful cry, is being loaded onto a a lift equipped vehicle. Caption reads: An unidentified protester clutches her Bible as she's arrested.

Photo #4 Free Press Photo by MANNY CRISOSTOMO
A uniformed officer stands jauntily leaning on a barricade, on the other side of which are two ADAPT protesters in wheelchairs (Rick James and an unidentified woman.) Rick has a very intense expression on his face. Caption reads: Rick James, of Utah, left, watches Lt. Greg George, a federal policeman, at a barricade at the McNamara Federal Building.

Created on

Thursday 11 July 2013

Posted on

Monday 31 July 2017

Tags

ADAPT - American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation, arrests, attendants, Bernard Baker, blocking entrances, Cathy Thomas, crawl on, federal building, federal court case, George Cooper, lack of access, lifts on all NEW buses, Marcos Quesada, Mike Auberger, paddy wagons, Paulette Patterson, protest, regulation, Renate Conrad, Rick James, Senator Don Riegle, special police training, Stephanie Thomas

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