Disability advocates take to Capitol Hill, demand rejection of Ryan budget plan

[Shallah Kali]

http://www.americanindependent.com/181851/disability-advocates-take-to-capitol-hill-demand-rejection-of-ryan-budget-plan

Mike Ervin, an organizer for the national disability-advocacy group ADAPT http://www.adapt.org/ and founder of its Chicago branch, is one of about 300 protesters from 25 different states who traveled to Capitol Hill to tell congressional leaders how Ryan’s proposal would impact the disability community.

snip

“The idea of block granting really scares us, because a lot of people with disabilities rely on Medicaid in order to stay out of institutions,” Ervin said. “Block granting … gets rid of the idea that people are entitled to a minimun amount, no matter what their situation is. Now there will be less money available.”

anip

UPDATE: At about 6:30 p.m. EST, Capitol police began arresting ADAPT members who refused to leave the rotunda. The organization released a brief statement as the arrests began:

snip

Ervin told TAI that about 100 people have been arrested so far, many of them chanting “I’d rather be in jail than in a nursing home!” He said Ryan sent his chief of staff to speak wit the protesters but that Speaker of the House John Boehner refused to speak to the organization. Representatives who talked to the group and listened to their demands included: John Lewis (D-Ga.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Barney Frank (D-Mass.).

adapt http://www.adapt.org/

[Shallah Kali]

1. kick

:kick:

[crickets]

2. K&R

[suffragette]

3. K&R

[jillan]

4. I have a daughter with disabilities. It is sickening how she is being asked to pay for the rich.

Thank you to this group for protesting!

[jbnow]

5. Glad to hear them speaking (and acting) out!

Let them not be cast aside.

[bobbolink]

6. These are courageous people. It is too bad they aren't being joined by

"progressives" who will cheer on other groups, but not those in poverty.

I notice that 3 Dems came out to speak and listen. I hope they stand strong, and get their cohorts to do the same.

[Shallah Kali]

7. kick

:kick: