------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NewsBank, inc. - The Commercial Appeal - 1998 - Article with Citation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Headline: SUNDQUIST'S RALLY MARRED BY DISABLED PROTESTERS Date: July 3, 1998 Section: Metro Page: B2 Edition: Final Length: 413 words Author: Kriste Goad The Commercial Appeal Index Terms: GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN DISABLED PROTEST TN Text: Protesters from a disabled persons' rights group interrupted Gov. Don Sundquist's final campaign-kickoff stop here Thursday. More than a dozen members of ADAPT, a Denver-based group, were barred from the Sundquist campaign rally in Cordova. Several sat in the heat outside the door of the building while others sat in their wheelchairs behind a Memphis police barricade at the entrance to the parking lot of the Home Builders Association building, where the meeting was held. "Members of the ADAPT organization have no right to interfere with the Sundquist supporters' right to peaceful and lawful assembly nor to use the event to promote their own agenda," the Sundquist campaign said in a press release. When Sundquist began to address an estimated 400 on hand in support of his re-election (including several in wheelchairs and using walkers), a heckler emerged in the audience, screaming at the governor to explain why Tennessee is behind other states in its allocation of funds for in-home assistance for the disabled. "All right," Sundquist said to the heckler. "You had your turn now let me have mine." Sundquist proceeded with his prepared campaign speech without further interruption. Protesters from the same group staged a two-day sit-in in May at the Shelby County Government building downtown. Otherwise, the rally was deja vu for the loyal Republicans. Four years ago at about the same time of day and at the same location, Sundquist ended his campaign kickoff tour, pledging to get tough on crime, get rid of the Public Service Commission and get people off the welfare rolls, three things that he has accomplished during his first term in office. Sundquist echoed a theme used by Republican governors across the country - promises made have been promises kept. The theme also is being used by Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout, who was on hand Thursday along with Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton to offer praises and support for the Memphis-friendly governor. Neither Sundquist nor Rout, however, are making the same no-new-taxes promise they did four years ago. \ To reach reporter Kriste Goad call 529-6498 or E-mail goad@gomemphis.com Caption: photo Copyright 1998 The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN Accession Number: 9807030090 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------