|
A short-notice demo was called in Manchester on 17th January 2002 and an 3 day occupation was held
in an accessible council office. We held them off, with legal help from Robert Lazar, until fifteen
minutes before custody and then left, with no charges or arrests and having got our meeting with
the Director of Housing, Heads of Service and the support of the deputy leader of the council.
I have been waiting for safe accessible housing for five years, tried everything and been offered a
stack of unsuitable homes. A source in the council said 'probably thousands' of disabled people are
waiting across the city. I lost patience and called out for advocates. An idea was grown and
activated by every danner we could get hold of, who had a chance or means to join in. 'I' moved
into my local housing office and held a three day 'house warming party' with a bunch of
house-warming cards and baloons people sent.
60-70 disabled people (local and national) joined in with the action in different ways, up to 30
inside the building, and local people who signed letters to the housing director, brought us food,
set us up a webpage. People were emailing, faxing and making phone calls from home. People were
inside on the occupation risking health and safety, being denied PA's and BSL interpreters. People
were outside the house braving freezing wet weather working hard on the press and the leaders of
the council, keeping the demo going, giving out leaflets. One danner ended up in hospital because
they refused to let him access the building and he refused to go home.
thanks everyone. We had maximum local press TV and radio coverage and support of the people of
Manchester. We have had the first meeting and have two more promised which we hope will progress to
something more solid. We are waiting for a letter outlining all the changes they are making to the
system and will respond accordingly. we will act again in 30 days if we don't get commitment to
our demands: that I have somewhere safe to live with my daughter and they have a plan of housing
our people.
|
|