504 Emergency Coalition press release describes a visit by Senator Julian Bond, and lists new support from politicians and organizations.
For Immediate Release
Wednesday April 13, 1977
HEW Office, 50 Fulton St.
San Francisco, Ca.
For further information contact: Kitty Cone or Judy Heumann at 621-9593 or 621-9101
DISABLED DEMONSTRATORS WITHIN SAN FRANCISCO HEW RECEIVE VISITS FROM JULIAN BOND, TOM BATES PROTESTS SPREAD AND RENEW AROUND THE COUNTRY: EUGENE, OREGON, WASHINGTON DC HIT ENDORSEMENTS GROW, INCLUDE SAN FRANCISCO LABOR COUNCIL, JESSE JACKSON, JACK CROWLEY, SENATOR MILTON MRKS, ASSSEMBLYMAN WILLIE BROWN, MAYR GEORGE MOSCONE, SENATOR ALAN CRANSTON’S REPRESENATTIVE, ED ROBERTS TO ADDRESS SUPPORT RALLY FRIDAY APRIL 15, OUTSIDE HEW IN U.N. PLAZA
Yesterday, April 12, longtime civil rights leader and Georgia State Senator, after being refused entry into the HEW Regional Office, managed to gain entry and visited with the disabled demonstrators inside. He spoke of the links between this protest and the black civil rights movement of the 60s and of the effectiveness of tactics such as sit-ins and demonstrations.
On leaving, Bond urged the 150 participants to continue their protest saying, “I must go but you must stay I know the personal burden is heavy but the struggle is worth while and the whole nation looks to you for leadership. Don’t give up the struggle.”
Yesterday evening, Assemblyman Tom Bates of Alameda County returned from Sacramento to address the demonstrators on the 4th floor and bring them a letter to President Carter, supporting their demands, signed by 46 Assembly members.
The City Council of Pacifica passed a resolution on April 12 supporting the actions and demands of the demonstrators.
The San Francisco labor Council has also endorsed and jack Crowley will speak at the rally to be held Friday April 15 at noon outside HEW while the Congressional hearings n Section 504, being held by Congressmen George Miller and Phil Burton proceed.
Assemblyman Michael Wornum of the 9th Assembly District will personally present the endorsement of the Marin Democratic Central Committee to the demonstrators at noon, Thursday April 14th.
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Disabled demonstrators, inspired by the San Francisco protest, last night took over offices of the Department of Rehabilitation in Eugene Oregon. The American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (ACCD) will begin a vigil at the White House on April 14.
April 12, thirty deaf students from the Junior National Association of the Deaf showed their support of the demonstrators by their vigil outside the HEW offices after being refused entrance to the building. They will return on Friday, April 15, to the demonstration with many fellow students. The demonstration will commence at 10 o’clock with a noon rally.
Additional endorsers include: The Director of PUSH, Lerome Bennett Jr., editor of Ebony Magazine.
THE HUNGER STRIKE IS NOW IN ITS EIGHTH DAY