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More protests, and lots more arrests. The AP says 91 people were arrested outside the White House today after some of them chained themselves to the fence in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. These folks weren't hardcore environmentalists, anti-capitalists or Darfur activists. No, a lot of these were people in wheelchairs who were trying to get President Obama's attention about alternatives to nursing home care for people with disabilities. So did the Secret Service actually lock up a bunch of people in wheelchairs? Thankfully, no: these protesters just got written arrest citations and were not taken into custody. The issue, it seems, is that they lacked the proper permit for a group that large. The protest began after 1 p.m., and we've also received reports that some of those who participated had to be treated for heat exposure.
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They've been marching/wheeling since 8:30 AM. I saw a huge line of them coming up the sidewalk on Pennsylvania Ave. on my way into work this morning. Policy were re-directing traffic, so I assume it was a part of their formal protest. There were tons of people - didn't see a break in the line the whole time I was walking towards my office from the metro.
I am sorry, but unless they smashed the window of a neighborhood pharmacy, I will not sympathize with their cause.
What are the logistics of arresting a bunch of wheelchair-bound miscreants? Does the MPD have a paddywagon with a handicap lift? Can you link the wheelchairs together in a "chain gang" and tow them all back to the station?
I think the challenge of taking them into custody is what prevented the police from doing so. In any case, they still had to do a crapload of paperwork.
Good for them! That's an issue that deserves so much more attention. It's amazing how the difference between a ramp and a few hours of home health care can mean living in a nursing home costing Medicaid thousands of dollars a month or living in their home with dignity.
I had lunch out there today. One of the more interesting sights was when a group of people on a segway tour (choice of wheels instead of using legs) strolled right through the middle of the ADAPT people (confined to wheel, no choice). I felt awkward just watching - I wonder if any of the segway tourists were aware enough to notice...
What exactly were they supposed to do? Feel guilty for taking a gimmicky two hour tour?
Wow that is akward, but on the opposite end of the spectrum its almost funny enough to make you cry!
This same group has been arrested in front of the RNC, and HUD in the last few months. At the RNC they chanted:
"Hey hey, ho ho, send John McCain to a nursing home!"
Cheney would have used them for target practice.
If DC's criminals were on the ball, they'd have a crime wave. Except it's too hot and they can't be bothered.
I know its not PC to arrest these people but considering that they fight for equal rights; they should have been arrested just like any able bodied person. Can't have it bother ways.
These are the same people who took an entire building hostage a couple of years ago by illegally blocking every exit, creating a fire hazard, and physically fighting with people who tried to leave. I have no damn sympathy for them.