Rebirth of Our Rights: Disability Rights Rally

We are seeking people in wheelchairs and others to attend the rally and trial from 9 am until the hearing is finished, likely before 12 noon. Dr. Bob Segalman will generously pay each person who comes in a wheelchair $50 to attend the rally, and $100 if we win the case. In addition we will have food for attendees, in the morning from 8:45-9:10 (coffee, fruit and various breads and pastries), and light snacks when the hearing is over-- to be served outside the courthouse entrance at 7th & Mission. When people arrive between 9 and 9:30 they should come to Courtroom 3 and wait for the case to be called. Oral arguments will be presented and the judges will either make a ruling or continue the case to a future date where, after deliberations their decision will be announced. When the case has been heard we will leave Courtroom 3 and proceed to outside the Courthouse at 7th and Mission for a Rally with speakers and music. We are inviting participants to speak briefly about their experiences with either airlines or other transportation situations.
Please let me know if you will attend tomorrow and if you wish to speak. You must RSVP if you are coming in a wheelchair and wish to be paid: Rally Coordinator: 510-365-1500

Dr. Bob Segalman, a Cerebral Palsy quadriplegic, is suing an airline for repeated damage to his wheelchair. Due to the damage, he fell out of his wheelchair and broke his leg. He is holding the airline accountable for not properly handling his wheelchair. He offered to drop the suit if Southwest Airlines would agree to train employees’ on how to properly transfer wheelchairs, and take other preventative actions, but Southwest Airlines refused. People who use wheelchairs must be treated properly under the law. Their chairs need to be handled with care, and the disabled need to be treated with dignity. The policies for handling wheelchairs and their users need to be enforced.