The ADAPT action
Monday, September 11
I am excited about a number of things–seeing old friends, the upcoming week, and the fact that the young folks who’d stayed on after the ADAPT Youth Summit were out and about, and making friends.
Tuesday, September 12
We lined up along the front of the hotel, then, set out single file, into the street. I notice that there aren’t many people about. I can’t figure out why until later, when we pass a group of people on the sidewalk near the Judiciary Square Metro station. A man calls out to me, and I recognize my friend, Bill O’Field, with the Board of Elections and Ethics. Now I know why the streets are empty. It’s Primary Day, and most folks are lined up in their polling places trying to vote. I’m glad I voted early!
We continue on chanting and singing, when suddenly, it goes dead quiet, and there is tension and urgency in the air. We pack it in tight, and move stealthily along the final blocks to our target. Suddenly, we dip into an underground parking lot, and find ourselves before a door leading to a hall, which led to a giant lobby. We stream through the doors, and down the hall, and burst into the lobby chanting, “We want Kaiser!” Timothy Kaiser is the head of the Public Housing Authority department that can assign Section 8 vouchers to persons with disabilities who are transitioning from nursing homes and other institutions.
I found myself at an escalator with Barbara Toomer on one side, and Sparky Metz, from Texas on the other. Some of our folks began unfurling our banners at the tops of some of the escalators. One of the building staff manhandled Sparky out of the way, but couldn’t get far. Barbara had to go and help with negotiations, so I took over the escalator, parking my wheelchair sideways, and placing my feet against the sides. No one could get past me without hurting themselves, and thankfully, no one tried! Pam Taggert, and Candice Clark were with me, and we got up a good, loud chant.
Needless to say, the police were running around trying to get the powers to be to meet with us. They warn them that we will not leave the lobby if they do not meet with us. The building staff are hoping and praying that we will go away. Meanwhile, we keep up the chanting and noise.
After an hour or so, we get the news that Kaiser will meet with us on the 25th of September. We also find out that our group had split off, and some of us had gone over to the meeting of the Coucil of Large Public Housing Authorities. That scene went bad at first, with threats of arrests, and a nasty attitude from the CLPHA folks. Finally through creative methods, ADAPT got the name of their head, and got directly in touch with her, and she directed the folks there to set up a meeting on October 4th.
We then went back to the hotel to get ready to welcome the folks from the Catholic Bishops. The organization, after a hit on them by ADAPT back in July, decided to meet today with several ADAPTers. They have decided to support MiCASSA, and wrote a letter to Rep. Danny Davis’s office to that effect.
Stay tuned for more…