Under orders of the North Carolina governor, a protestor with Occupy Raleigh was arrested for “blocking the sidewalk” because she refused to stand up.
Pamela gets arrested for not blocking the sidewalk.
Pamela (haven’t found her last name yet), appears to be elderly and publicly identified herself as disabled. She had brought a chair with her. She, along with many other protestors, were peacefully assembled near the Capitol Building, on the sidewalk. They were not blocking the sidewalk, as these pictures at Occupy Raleigh demonstrate.
Nonetheless, though she was holding a sign indicating that she has a disability, the police arrested her, along with seven other protestors for “blocking the sidewalk,” in her case because she would not stand up. She was handcuffed with plastic wrist restraints by the police. From the pictures, it appears as if she was made to walk to the wagon.
Don’t put the blame on the police! They are part of the 99%! They were under orders of the governor of North Carolina. The first person to call and email and tweet is Gov. Bev Perdue. Tell her:
People have a right to assemble publicly on a city sidewalk!
People with disabilities have a right to use whatever assistive technology they require, even if that is seemingly “just a chair.” Hidden disabilities are just as real as obvious ones!
A person with a condition that makes standing problematic should not be put in wrist restraints, arrested, and made to walk!
Take action!
Contact the NC governor, as well as Raleigh’s mayor, police department, and city council. Demand that all eight protestors be released and charges dropped. Demand that these citizens are not denied the right to freely and peacefully assemble.
Phone numbers, address, and email addresses below! Support the people of Raleigh!
Governor Bev Perdue: governor.office@nc.gov
Phone: (919)733-4240
Fax: (919)733-2120
Raleigh Police Department’s Non-emergency number: 919-996-3335
Email: laura.hourigan@raleighnc.gov
Mayor Meeker: 919-996-3050 charles.meeker@raleighnc.gov
Entire city council: 919-996-3050
Fax: 919-996-7622
email: citycouncilors@raleighnc.gov
City Attorney: 919-831-6560
email: tom.mccormick@raleighnc.gov
Public Affairs: 919-996-3100
email: public.affairs@raleighnc.gov
City Manager: 919-996-3070
email: citymanager@raleighnc.gov
The City: 919-996-3000
City of Raleigh
P.O. Box 590
Raleigh, NC 27602-0590
