I read a dad's post today about how hard it was for his kids to remain masked at school when everyone else is unmasked. It takes such courage. I made this for all the kids still masking. I applaud you and thank you. Please feel free to print it out and give it to your little heroes. #CovidIsNotOver#NotAllHeroesWearACape But they do #WearAMask#covid#maskup#heroes#resistance#solidarity
“Does America need a more searing visual image than eight men working for their piece of the America dream — filling potholes on a terrifying bridge in 1 a.m. darkness — to understand that our nation was built by immigrants, runs on immigrant labor and needs immigrants?”
"Arrests are Almost Like Merit Badges" – Protesters Change History for Citizens with Disabilities:
Today, Out Of Exile – Invisible Disability Rights honors "The Gang of 19" and the disability rights activist group, "ADAPT" (Atlantis Community). Forty-five years ago this week, they demanded, and were instrumental in winning, independence for people with mobility disabilities across the country. This act, is considered by many, to be the birth of the disability rights movement in the US. The unique methods they used, make their story worth exploring… They're just that cool.
On July 5, 1978, as a Denver RTD bus was picking up passengers at Colfax Avenue and Broadway, a group of individuals rolled their wheelchairs in front of the vehicle. After a second bus pulled up to the stop, other wheelchair users maneuvered themselves behind it, forming a blockade. The buses remained trapped between the wheelchair users for the next 24 hours. Chanting, "WE WILL RIDE!", the protesters message of "TAXATION WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION" forced a nation to take notice of the disability rights movement. Are the tax dollars of persons are with disabilities worth less than the tax dollars of others? Are individuals with disabilities deserving of less public accommodations than their "abled" co-citizens? The demand: That one third of Denver city buses be made wheelchair accessible. Thanks to the courage of "the gang's" heroic actions, public buses across the country are equipped to provide accessibility, independence and a bit of equality for people with disabilities.
Check out the "Gang of 19" PBS documentary contained in the links below. You can also read more about the bus blockade, ADAPT's role in the Americans With Disabilities Act, or the time wheelchair user's pulverized a curb with sledgehammers thus, forging the way for inclines at crosswalks. In hindsight, it's outrageous that it took a sledgehammer demolition, to generate understanding about the barriers and safety concerns facing wheelchair users, just trying to cross the street. There is however, much more work to be done to better the lives of all people with disabilities.
Every year as fireworks explode in celebration, I raise a glass to toast the liberty that these "Denver Pioneers" fought to win, for so many with disabilities. The neurodivergent thinkers behind these creative acts of social defiance, are nothing short of legendary. The anniversary of the "Gang of 19" blockade is truly something to celebrate. It also serves as a reminder that, a loud voice or action is sometimes necessary in the fight for disability rights, equality and, to finally #TearDownTheWall.
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." Martin Luther King Jr.
Jimmy Carter's grandson Hugo Wentzel provides an update about his grandfather, who has, Hugo says, "been an amazing grandpa. He's an amazing person. I absolutely love him." Hugo states,
“At this point, we're just taking care of him, expressing love, as he gets older.”
To think that the U.S. could be led by presidents like Jimmy Carter and then, down the road, the man now under multiple indictments with more to come. One of the two is heroic.
The day before this year's #EarthDay two #juststopoil protestors were given outrageous and extreme prison sentences.
Morgan Trowland was jailed for three years and Marcus Decker for two years and seven months.
The presiding Judge Shane Collery KC said to the pair, you "plainly believed you knew better" than other people and were thinking "to hell with everyone else".
Future times will record them as pioneers. The Judge's comments will be forgotten.
Good Morning #Canada
Remembrance Day is important for me as I try to honour the memory of my father who fought in WWII. He rarely spoke of his service but his war records show he fought in Italy, France and the Netherlands. November 11th is when I miss him the most.
I hope that all Canadians take 2 minutes at 11 am today to reflect on the veterans who fought in 2 world wars, and about our military who continue to protect us.
Good Morning #Canada
Lucille Teasdale-Corti was born January 30, 1929 (died August 1, 1996) and was one of Canada’s first female surgeons. But her legacy was built in Uganda from 1961 until her death in 1996. Despite considerable hardship, including civil war and the AIDS epidemic, she cofounded with her husband a university hospital in the north of Uganda. An incredible story to read and share.
"I knowed his ma. They was good folks. He was full a hell, sure, like a good boy oughta be…He done a bad thing an’ they hurt ‘im, caught ‘im an’ hurt him so he was mad, an’ the nex’ bad thing he done was mad, an’ they hurt ‘im again. An’ purty soon he was mean-mad."
- J.S.,who really just wanted to be a fucking marine biologist, as evidenced in his conributions to Between the Pacific Tides, by his friend Ed Ricketts, yet much to his chagrin was relegated to authorship in depression era grit fiction, notable for his brutally honest naturalism, social commentary on extreme hardship, heartache, and subsequently immortalized in pen and celluloid.
Now you fucking know, bitches.
#tallship#lit#history#memoriam and #heroes, both celebrated and vilified; yet still one of my all time great inspirations as an artist. But just who was it he invoked that was so injuriously transfigured?
Can you haz #Cheezburgerz? 🍔 Can you? I doubt it. lemme know :p
🇺🇦After arriving in Kherson for my humanitarian trip, I paid my respects to the fallen Ukrainian heroes at Liberty Square. Their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten🌅
🌏Let’s stand together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Our collective effort can make a positive difference.🕊️
The 200th Birthday for the wonderful #RNLI today - this is our local wee boat at North Kessock, an inshore B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat passing Fort George. #heroes
On Friday, June 4th, 2021, Officer Enmanuel ‘Manny’ Familia responded to a 911 call for a drowning of 14-year old boy, Troy Love in Green Hill Pond in Worcester, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, Officer Familia and Troy Love did not make it out of the water alive.
In honor of Manny, please join us in continuing his legacy by donating to the The Manny 267 Foundation
Founded by Marc Elias in 2021, Elias Law Group is the nation’s largest law firm focused on representing the Democratic Party, Democratic campaigns, nonprofit organizations, and individuals committed to securing a progressive future.
The 39 Island Nations that will soon cease to exist are pissed they were left out of the COP28 final agreement. They then proceeded to list every loophole and carveout showing the entire conference was a pathetic joke