Disability Rights Activists to Re-establish 'Arnieville' Today

Disability Rights Activists to Re-establish 'Arnieville' Today
June 22, 2010
by Jonathan Nack

OAKLAND – Disability rights activists are set to re-establish the “Arnieville” tent city in Berkeley today. [ http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/06/06/18649998.php ] The encampment is in opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts to In-Home Support Services (IHSS) in California, which the activist consider inhumane, illegal, and financially stupid.

“We're totally fed up”, said Jean Stewart, one of the organizers, who is herself an IHSS recipient. “Every year the budget puts us through sheer hell – we face the terror that we could lose our services,” explained Stewart.

IHSS provides services to people in their homes who might otherwise probability have to be institutionalized.

Last month, on May 21, a week after the Governor's proposed budget was announced, outrage and anger led Stewart and a small group of other activists to seize a traffic island on a major thoroughfare in Berkeley. Tents, banners and picket signs sprouted up.

For four days and nights the little tent city they dubbed “Arnieville” visually dominated Adeline at Stewart Street. Motorists and passersby could hardly miss their message to put a halt to cuts to In-Home Support Services, social security income, Cal Works, General Assistance and Medi-Cal.

Many visitors and supporters stopped by. Some to learn about what was being protested, others bringing food, helping with copying fliers, creating colorful banners, and generally adding to the goodwill of the gathering.

“Our goal is fully funded programs and services,” said Stewart. “A just budget is a budget that taxes the rich, including big oil, closes tax loopholes and fully funds programs for the disabled and the poor, the elderly, single mothers, public education, and our children,” she said.

“It's not just an issue of discrimination against the disabled, because many see us as expendable, but also of class – we have no wealth,” said Stewart.

The activists argue that the proposed IHSS cuts that will force people to live away from their homes, families and communities, but also against the law. Beyond that, the cuts are financially foolish and irresponsible, because institutionalizing someone costs the State much more, and the State will lose matching federal funds for dropping people from IHSS.

This time the activists plan to maintain Arnieville for as long as they can, or until there is a just budget.
They're calling on people to join them, help them to organize and grow Arnieville. Their planning daily activities including teach-ins, workshops, music, street theater, videos, and more.

All manner of donations for Arnieville are being solicited, from tents and other camping equipment to food and cash. A tax deductible donation can be made out to: “DREDEF” with a notation that it's for Arnieville. Mail to: DREDEF, 2212 6th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.

They're also seeking organizational and individual endorsements. They have a Facebook page called “ArnieVille”. You can also call Dan at (510) 688-2342 or write to disabledpeopleoutside [at] comcast.net .

A press conference has been called for Noon on Thursday at Arnieville.

One thing this reporter can tell you after spending some time around Arnieville. These activists don't know the meaning of quit. They're used to hardship and overcoming obstacles and the odds. They can be expected to put up a hell of a fight.