[NAGDU] Rally Logistics and Dogs at Protests Generally

[Heather Bird, President, NFBNYS]

I have been thinking about the potential logistics for the rally in San
Fransisco. I have participated in several protests/sit-ins/marches with and
without my guide dogs. In taking a look at the map it appears that the Uber
and Lyft headquarters are very close to one another. It looks as if the
whole rectangular area is pedestrian friendly, basically from, I think it
was something like Berry Street, to Third, to Eighteenth, to Fourth, or
something similar. I'm sure that NAGDU and the Legislative and Legal teams
at the National office are all working in concert on this. I just wanted to
mention my experience if that might be at all helpful. I have been in a
situation where we basically circled a building, and my dog did alright, but
two other guide dogs had difficulties, one shutting down and one just
getting snarky board. At another event where we marched up one side of a
street, for about five blocks, then down the other side, back and forth for
about 90 minutes, my dog and at least five other dogs did very well. I have
also marched in parades with my dog. Parades are a bit different though as
you must move incredibly slowly. In one where I was helping to carry a
banner, I just heeled my dog to keep her at a slow pace. In another where I
was with a large group I started at the back, let my dog walk at a good clip
up to the front of the group, when I heard the person at the front of our
group, then I would pause, and let the group go by, and rinse, lather,
repeat. Sit-ins are obviously much easier. I assume that we are not
intending to engage in the type of civil disobedience where folks can be
arrested, for blocking a street or a business, for instance. That comes with
a whole other set of considerations, including whether or not one is willing
to be arrested for the cause, and what to do with their guide dog if they
are arrested. A rally, by definition though isn't one of those things which
includes intentionally getting arrested for a cause, but I mention it
generally speaking as our members may participate in such actions in the
future, and it should be considered. My mother who has worked for the
Regional Center for Independent Living and the Center for Disability Rights
has shared that the police officers in San Fransisco when she was there with
ADAPT and other organizations were very helpful and polite, including
telling folks their options, for instance "If you stand there, it carries
this penalty, and if you move over here, then it only carries this other
penalty."

 

I know that the details will be shared as soon as they are worked out, but
it will be helpful for handlers to determine if they and their dog are up to
the rally, once the plan is known. I am assuming that the plan will be some
variation on circling the two headquarters by making that rectangle
mentioned above. That would give good optics for lots and lots of guide dog
users parading past, would include both buildings, and would allow enough
space for a large number of teams to work safely and with less risk of
conflict along the route. If the plan is something else, it would be helpful
to know. I think that It is absolutely possible to bring dozens of guide
dogs and their handlers into a small area and move about in a coordinated
fashion without any conflicts. However, the more spread out it is, and the
more information that the handlers have before the action begins, the higher
that likelihood of success is.

 

This is very exciting, and I am looking forward to it.

With Love, Hope, and Determination

Aubrey Bird

President, National Federation of the Blind of New York State Inc.