posted March 21, 2006
) Rep. Eric Watson meets with protestors. Click to enlarge |
Forty-four protesters were arrested by police trying to prevent more traffic delays at afternoon rush hour that frustrated state workers trying to leave downtown on Monday.
Police spokesman Don Aaron said the group's members were told Monday that if they chose to continue their protest Tuesday, they would be treated differently.
"They were afforded the opportunity to get out of the roadway and they didn't," Mr. Aaron said. "They clearly wanted to be arrested."
Nashville Police were out in force after some criticism from lawmakers that they failed to properly contain the protests the day before. Squad cars were parked at intersections and fire trucks and mounted police were nearby.
The protest was staged by American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT, and the protesters came from all over the country to complain about Tennessee's long-term care system.
The group has held high-profile protests nationwide - last September hundreds of disabled members crowded into the hallways and private suites of U.S. House and Senate office buildings to protest proposals to slow federal spending for Medicaid, the health program for the poor.
ADAPT spokesman Mark Johnson said most long-term care money in Tennessee goes to nursing homes, and that people don't have a choice to stay in the own homes.
Police had several handicapped-accessible transit buses available to transport arrested protesters. As one bus pulled out Tuesday afternoon, fellow protesters along the sidewalks cheered.
"We're bending over backwards to not inconvenience these people (protesters), some of whom have horrible disabilities, yet they are not willing to bend over backwards for anyone else," Police Chief Ronal Serpas said.
Before the arrests, State Rep. Eric Watson also spoke to the protesters and urged them not to block the roads again, saying they were only frustrating lawmakers and hurting their cause.
"I've had people pulling their names off my bill because this is going on," said Diane Black, who is sponsoring a bill she says will benefit people seeking alternatives to nursing homes. "I'm working real hard to help you. This is not helping you."
Under Black's bill, an individual would decide who provides his or her care through a pilot program set up by the state's Commission on Aging and Disability.
"It may be a neighbor, a granddaughter, or a service provider in the community," Black said. "We may be moving slower than some would like, but we are moving in the right direction. I just ask that people be patient."
But protesters like 40-year-old Angie Shown of Memphis, who was among those arrested Tuesday, say patience is difficult.
"There's people that are dying in nursing homes," Shown said. "I'm here because there's a lot of people who can't be here."
The group sought a meeting with Gov. Phil Bredesen, but he "has no intention of participating in a political spectacle" and would not meet with protesters, his Communications Director Bob Corney wrote in a letter.
"Many of the disabled activists are concern about Tenn Care and Gov. Bredensen's policies that have left thousands languishing at home, without medical services and support of medication" said Rep. Watson. "It was sad to see senior citizens and disable veterans in the crowds, many of them had tears in their eyes and wanted a ear to listen."
) Rep. Watson with disabled activists |
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