MISCC Public Forum, Syracuse, NY

Just wanted to put out a short summary of the MISCC Public forum held in Syracuse yesterday. The advocates in Central New York did an EXCELLENT job of turning people out for this and all the people who spoke were great!

Bruce and I walked over from ARISE with Beata, Kara and the rest of their group. When we got to the building and found the room, some of the DOH and OMRDD staff were already there setting up. The room was TINY. The DOH staff were already on edge, but seemed to take it alright as I directed them on how to rearrange the room to integrate the wheelchair seating... but really, we already had 6 wheelchair users present, which is about all the room could handle... and the hearing wasn't scheduled to start for another hour!!

As time for the hearing approached, all of our groups brought out the brightly colored (paper) chains we had made to symbolize having our people locked up, shackled, imprisoned in institutions. It was great to see the different variety of chains made by Binghamton, Watertown and Rochester. As the hearing began, most of the advocates began a demonstration outside the building. The chains were strewn everywhere and the chanting could be heard inside the hearing room! Barb Knowlen and I were inside and couldn't join the demonstration because we were the first two speakers... but all reports are that the demonstration went great. There were television and newspaper reports present and doing interviews.

The first four speakers were myself, Barb, Beata and Matt... quite an ADAPT line-up to begin. I'm not sure how that fell together, but it worked out great! I read sections of the law that had established the MISCC and that the MISCC is not following, pointed out the power that the MISCC has and explained why people were protesting outside... Barb talked about freedom and what the MISCC needs to be doing to Free our People and Matt and Beata continued the theme. One of the MISCC members that is on our side commented that she loved watching Commissioner Maul's face as the four of us chided the MISCC and cited law.

By that time, the demonstrators outside had finished and made there way TO the hearing room, but there was no way they could fit IN the hearing room. After much jostling about and negotiation... the whole hearing was moved into the lobby/hallway just outside the hearing room... where everyone could fit! Now the problem was that there was no sound system. Everyone attending listened quietly and cheered when each speaker finished. After another 5-10 speakers had finished, the DOH staff managed to locate and bring in a new portable speaker system and now even the people in the back of the hall could hear everything!

Again, the speakers were excellent. A couple of my favorite moments included when Aileen Martin of NRCIL finished her testimony by pointing out the that county parole office was, literally, around the corner in the hallway... while convicts can get parole and know when they are getting out of their institution, our people cannot - all we are asking for is parole for our people. Another favorite moment was when Donna Gilette began her presentation and turned immediately to squarely face all of the MISCC members who had sat quietly off to the side and hadn't been directly addressed until Donna took them on. It was great.

Ok, I'm off to the Buffalo forum in a little while. Thank you to all of the advocates who did such an excellent job in Syracuse. Hopefully today in Buffalo will be just as chaotic and just as powerful. CDR is bringing about 45 people to the forum, so that always promises impact. Director of Advocacy Center for Disability Rights