Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, March 13, 1990
The day after the now-famous Capitol Crawl, where 60 activists left their chairs and crutches behind to scale the 78 steps on the Capitol’s west side, ADAPT’s “Wheels of Justice” action continued inside the Capitol. On Monday, those who climbed the steps had delivered messages to Speaker Tom Foley and House Minority Leader Bob Michels demanding swift passage of the ADA with no weakening amendments.
This morning, 200 ADAPT activists gathered in the Capitol’s Rotunda to meet with Foley, Michels, and Steny Hoyer (D-MD), primary House sponsors of the ADA. They reiterated the message from Monday for swift passage, impressing upon the legislators the importance of this new law to millions of disabled Americans. Though Foley and Michels talked of possible passage in May, they would not make commitments on passage or on it not being weakened. So, led by ADAPT leader Stephanie Thomas (center), the group began chanting “ADA NOW!”
“WHAT DO WE WANT?!” “THE ADA!”
“WHEN DO WE WANT IT?!” “NOW!!”
The Capitol Police moved in and arrested 104 demonstrators.
The next day, demanding a meeting to discuss his opposition, ADAPT activists took over the office of Elmer “Bud” Shuster (R-PA), the lead House opponent of the transportation sections of the ADA. A “no show,” Shuster had 64 ADAPT members arrested at the end of the day.
