The Rolling Freedom Express Splashes through Nashville

On October 11, the highest court in the land will hear a case testing the Constitutionality of the ADA. Alabama v. Garrett will question the power of the federal government versus the power of the states. Yet states have a poor record in protecting individual human rights, particularly in Tennessee, where compulsory institutionalization and ongoing segregation of persons with disabilities is common because of the control of the nursing home industry.

"I am not a lawyer, but I've been told that losing this case will be the domino that could topple the whole ADA," said Deborah Cunningham, an organizer for Tennessee ADAPT. "The analogy in racial discrimination would be to question the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act Of 1964. Losing Garrett could mean going back to an era when state sanctioned discrimination was allowable."

"I was at the Rose Garden the day the President signed the ADA," said Barbara Bounds of Memphis ADAPT. "I don't want to see those rights taken away."

One of the most poignant speakers did not attend the rally. Tony Perone with the Rolling Freedom Express from Georgia noticed a letter to the editor in the local Nashville paper. The letter was read to the crowd telling about the inaccessible local schools.

Carol Westlake of the Tennessee Disabilities Coalition gave a rousing and informative speech on issues relevant in Tennessee and throughout the U.S.

Paul Ford of Tennessee ADAPT gave the Rolling Freedom Express its send-off. He asked the crowd to take a moment of silence to remember those who are no longer alive to join us in this new struggle. "The ADA is under attack and could be weakened or lost!" said Paul, "it sent us the message that our advocacy must continue and it must be powerful."