[nfbmi-talk] Tomorrow's Federal Court Hearing

[Fred Wurtzel]

Hello  Michigan Federationists,

 

There are 3 events this week which will influence your civil rights for
years to come with regard to public transportation.  Tomorrow, Judge Lawson
will decide whether the Detroit Metropolitan Airport can legally set up
segregated bus stops for persons with disabilities.  There have been
precedents in other court cases with regard to Amtrak and other bus services
which clearly prohibit such segregated facilities.  If you are concerned
about the possibility of setting back civil rights 60 years, please come to
the federal courthouse tomorrow at 1:30 pm  to show the judge that her
decision will affect real people.

 

The court house is:

 

Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse 

231 West Lafayette Boulevard

Detroit, MI 48226-2700

The main entrance is on West Lafayette Boulevard.  An  accessible ramp is
available on the Fort Street side. 

 

President Posont and others from Lansing will be traveling to Detroit for
these meetings.  First Vice President powell and others from the Detroit
chapter will attend the court proceedings.  If you have not decided to come,
please decide to join us in standing up for our civil rights.  Tell our
elected and appointed officials that we will not stand for any roll back of
our rights.

 

On Wednesday, if the judge does not conclusively decide this issue in our
favor, we will need to attend the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA)
meeting to continue our efforts to persuade the Airport board to do the
right thing and provide accessible, integrated bus stops which treat persons
with disabilities as first class citizens.

 

On Thursday, there is the Wayne County Board meeting at 10 am.  The County
board appoints members to the WCAA.  The county board needs to clearly state
that separate but equal is not acceptable in Detroit or Wayne County.
Further information about this meeting will be forthcoming.

 

Transportation is available to any of these meetings.  You may contact me or
First Vice President Mike Powell to arrange a ride.    We need your voice
and your presence to send the message that The National Federation of the
Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines us or our
future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low
expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.  You can
live the life you want; blindness is not what  holds you back. 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Fred