DANS FOURTH NATIONAL FREE OUR PEOPLE ACTION LONDON 2001
MON APRIL 2ND TUES APRIL 3RD WED APRIL 4TH 2001
DAN returns to London in the springtime to take the message of Free our People to the heart of
government. The nativity play in December (see inside) sent the message now we are looking for
answers from all the parties fighting for our votes in the forthcoming election.
Just before the action the government will announce its guidelines on charging community care
services.
We will be giving our reaction to this.
DAN believes that this policy of charging, this toilet tax should be abolished. Maybe it will.
Maybe pigs will fly. Lets show our resistance to this tax in a way only DAN can.
Disabled people have been locked away all our lifetimes in institutions. Disabled people are still
in this country locked away in attics or in their own homes by systems and cultures that form the
sharp end of the oppression we call disability.
It's time to put down the books, take off the gloves, overcome your reservations, your fears,
challenge the barriers and fight for our brothers and sisters who are locked behind walls, lying in
halls, dying in stalls created by this and previous governments.
The disabled people movement has to show through collective action, through coming together that at
least we care about these people, that we are prepared to be their friends their lovers, their
advocates and their champions. Who else that you trust is going to do it?
We need to rise from the politics of despair to the politics of hope. From the divisive discussion
to a creative debate. From talking to doing. From concern to action. That's what DAN does best.
That's why DAN was created.
So please come on this action and bring your friends and allies. Every time someone chooses not to
come on an action (and I mean choose) means another month inside an institution for a brother and
sister.
Until we build a mass campaign around this issue our sisters and brothers continue to die in their
shit and piss either in their house or in an institution. Let's show the politicians on all sides
that this campaign is growing and is not going to go quietly into the night. Let's make sure that
the charities know that they cannot steal our language and by that the money that we can use to set
our people free. Let's show the major players in this like the Housing Corporation that we mean to
hold them accountable for the lack of affordable accessible housing.
So come if you can and support the people who do.
To find out how you can get there, survive there and make lots of new friends read on.
HOW TO GET TO LONDON
How national DAN is assisting.
- National DAN has been able to subsidise the room rate at the hotel from 70 to 50.
- National DAN through negotiation with local groups will subside traveling expenses.
- National DAN will provide 3 generic personal assistants for the whole action.
- National DAN will ensure that a sign language interpreter is there throughout.
On top of this National DAN would try if possible to support DANNERS who have attended local or
national actions before if they are having a hard time coming to London. This last commitment is
dependent on resources becoming available.
ACCOMODATION
MAIN CONTACT FOR ALL ACOMODATION ENQUIRIES IS:
ANDY on 0208 343 7402
The main hotel is the Capitol Travel Inn. Belvedere Rd. London SE1 7PB right behind the London Eye
big wheel.
A stones throw from Parliament with 12 newly built accessible rooms. We have reserved 20 rooms all
told.
The cost will be 25 per person per night based on a person sharing. We reserve the right to
allocate the accessible rooms to those who need them most. Also to those people staying for the
whole 3 days. After these considerations the rooms will be allocated on first come basis. We have
to pay for these rooms 1 month in advance so the money for these rooms has to be sent to the
National DAN office by 28th February at the latest.
There is no parking space at the hotel but there is free parking at the Royal Festival Hall 5
minutes away from the Hotel.
London DANNERS have also got limited space in people's houses for free, (bring a bottle), if you
can't afford the Hotel but would like to stay for the 3 days contact Andy.
We can also find you alternative accommodation in nearby hotels but cannot subsidise the cost of
this. The cost per night could range from 35 to 50 per night.
TRANSPORT
If there are a group of DANNERS traveling together we might be able to help you at DAN National
with hire and fuel costs.
If you are experiencing individual hardship over travel call the national office to see if we can
help.
Whether you are staying in the hotel or not it would be good for us planning the strategy to know
that you will be there so let us know. 0121 2474424.
ASSISTANCE
DAN is hiring 3 personal assistants for the three days who will probably be based in London. They
will be available to people who need them most and will be trained in all aspects of personal
assistance.
We also have DAN members who are willing to provide some assistance like pushing and helping to
fight your way to the bar!
We have a sign language interpreter for the 3 days and are willing to employ more if the need
arises.
We have people who are skilled in helping people with learning difficulties communicate and people
without learning difficulties communicate!
We need all the drivers we can get and all the assistance you can offer.
Let us know what you can offer.
WHERE TO MEET
On Monday the 2nd April we are meeting from 9am to 12 noon at Methodist Central Hall Tothill St. In
the Assembly Room across the road from Westminster Abbey.
After that we will be meeting in the Royal Festival Hall bar at 9.30am every morning and after the
action times to be announced on the action.
Apart from the Monday these times are subject to change.
CONTACTING US DURING THE ACTION
The action mobile number is 0793 033 7863
The Hotel number is 0207 902 1600
If you are coming late or on another day you might want to check with these numbers first.
Before the action you can ring either
0121 247 4424 or 0208 343 7402 to get an update.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
The first rule on a DAN action is to look after yourself as much as you can so that you can look
after other people. If you can bring your own PA bring them. If you have an ally who is a sign
language interpreter bring them. Bring warm waterproof clothing. Think about food and bring snacky
stuff with you. A thermos flask is a good idea. Bring stuff to make your own placards. I f you can
manage without help manage. If you can't work with us to get what you really need. If you want to
make a contribution towards the action make it. If you can't or need support tell us exactly what
you will need. Bring your batteries and your hoist if you need to. Bring your mobile phone. If you
have an accessible vehicle we need it!
LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER
A DAN action is different because unlike a conference where the "organizers" are expected to look
after the attendees we are all one and therefore the second rule is to look after each other. This
means sharing your thermos with the person who hasn't got one. Helping someone get a drink that
hasn't got their own personal assistant, perhaps using your vehicle to help get people to the spot.
Sharing what you've got with someone who hasn't got what you've got. Bring that extra sweatshirt in
case someone needs it. Buy that extra bottle of water just in case. If someone wants something
explained to him or her explain it. On the action be aware of what's going on make sure no one is
isolated, make sure that no one is an outcast. Make sure that those people on their first action
don't get violent, watch for situations that could boil over. Most importantly get to know each
other and find respect in every individual in DAN who are willing to do this difficult thing called
an action. There are not many of us so it is important that we value the commitment of each
individual.
STAY TOGETHER STAY FOCUSED
The London action is about protesting against the Government Charging for Community Care Services.
The Action is also about making sure that all political parties hear about DAN's core demands
around the "Free our People" campaign.
Whilst we recognize that there are many many more issues to be fought within the disabled community
and from without to bring them to the action dilutes the message and confuses the public and the
press as to why we are there.
A DAN action is not the place to formally discuss these issues not least because many DANNERS will
be putting themselves at serious risk throughout the action and we need time to talk to minimize
this risk.
If you don't believe in protesting against charging or getting people out of residential care or
getting people out of their own houses. DONT COME. If it is so low down on your priorities that
you want to come and get your issues debated and discussed DON'T COME.
DAN has provided many forums over the years for debate and discussion but its success has come from
when we can decide together, be together, and act together on a common agenda.
DAN has always encouraged and supported other groups campaigning on issues not central to DAN's
agreed objectives.
DAN has never "camped" on other people's campaigns or hard work to push their issues. We want the
same respect we have shown to other people's campaigns.
KEY PRINCIPALS
DAN supports the anti racist, anti sexist, anti homophobic agenda and will not tolerate racist,
sexist or homophobic behavior or language on the action.
We also do not tolerate the use of alcohol or illegal drugs during the action.
DAN is a non violent organisation which will not support the use of violence by any individual on a
DAN action.
MARK DREW 1960-2001
Mark Drew died on Tuesday 23rd of January, after a short illness.
Mark Drew has been in DAN from the beginning at Christchurch DAN's first action travelling with his
great mate Chris Hughes all the way from Derbyshire in Chris's boneshaker of a van for about twelve
hours.
After that he hardly ever missed an action until his health started to fail.
Mark was a quiet committed voice in DAN. A friend who was down to earth, who could take a joke even
from Americans about his brand new designer trainers. You knew where you stood with Mark. He didn't
want to get arrested but was prepared to. I have shared many a bus many a handcuff with Mark.
Mark was an important piece of most actions because you knew that Mark understood the principle of
DAN which is to look after each other on actions.
Mark was totally committed to both "We will Ride" and "Free Our People" his work with Derbyshire
Centre for Independent Living bears testament to that. His unfailing commitment and understanding
that only we disabled people can really change things for our community drove him uncomfortably
into protest which was against his nature.
Mark for me will always stand as a role model for people who say I can't do actions but somehow do.
Mark stands for those people in DAN who contribute so much but don't get arrested but bond us with
quietness, commitment and a sense of humour that will be sadly missed.
Mark was a healer and a comforter, a true friend and all in all a really nice person to be around.
The next National Action in London will be dedicated to Mark's memory and life's work to free our
people.
I can't promise you Mark that it will be quiet but if I'm sitting in a jail cell finally I will
know that I can say you will be with me if only in my thoughts.
from Alan Holdsworth
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