(Nashville) Over one hundred activists were arrested or cited by Nashville Metro Police as ADAPT blocked six downtown intersections, all exit roads from the capitol, and demanded that Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen support alternatives to expensive and undesirable nursing homes. For seven hours ADAPT blocked traffic to and from the capitol area on Charlotte, Deadrick, Union, 6th, 7th and 8th streets.
Following a rally in the cold and rainy wind at Legislative Plaza, ADAPT divided up into smaller groups and suddenly moved into the middle of several major downtown streets. Metro Police and Tennessee State Troopers rerouted traffic away from the blocked intersections making a large impassable area around the capitol.
“The cops did not know what was coming at them,” said Chris Hildebrandt of Rochester, “before they knew, everyone was in place. It became pretty intense at some of the parking places, but our people were great, they held their ground and showed our determination to change the immoral polices in our country.”
At 4:30 the tension level rose as state employees finished work and many found they had no way to get home. Cars pushed on the line of protestors and honked. Heated banter was exchanged as many people got out of their cars and confronted the activists. The state employees could see the Metro Police and State Troopers a block further away rerouting traffic and gave the impression that they were not assisting. Governor Bredesen also echoed this misunderstanding and seemed to fault the police for the tension.
“The governor obviously does not mind being a leader of a state that segregates people with disabilities,” said Randy Alexander of Memphis, “all he wants to do is place blame and say it is somebody else’s fault. He is a coward.
At 11:00 ADAPT Activists charged out into the rain wearing ponchos, raincoats and trash bags, sometimes all three. Duct tape held the plastic in place most often to protect legs from the cold windy rain and also to cover exposed powerchair controls. It took the group about forty-five minutes to move from the Hilton Hotel to the corner of Union and 6th Street chanting along the way.
“It was wild on the march up to the capitol,” said Bruce Darling of Rochester, “some people along the sidewalk joined in with ADAPT on the chant ‘up with attendant care,’ they were really getting into it and yelling back: ‘down with the nursing homes.’”
At 12:30 ADAPT gathered on Legislative Plaza for a rally. The rain had slacked, but the open plaza was exposed to a bitter wind and the group huddled together. The long line of activists moving on the streets had transformed into a massive clump at the plaza steps. The Greek columns at the peak of the Legislative Plaza steps were decorated with ADAPT banners and a sound system helped rally speakers contend with the blustery weather. Bob Kafka started the chant: “Governor Bredesen sham on you.”
Deborah Cunningham, the Executive Director of the Memphis Center for Independent Living welcomed everyone to Nashville and told of the serious need for reform in Tennessee. She set the stage for the days action by calling for support for the Community Choices Act of 2006, which would not cost taxpayers anything, but would give Tennesseans a choice in long term care services and not be forced into a nursing home.
“We must have choices,” she said. “We are serious, we will be back and we won’t stop.”
