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Protest against Autism Speaks’ walk for autism
http://asancentralo hio.blogspot. com/2009/ 10/protest- against-autism- speaks-walk- for.html
http://asancentralo hio.blogspot. com/2009/ 10/protest- against-autism- speaks-walk- for.html
Please join us as we protest the Autism Speaks walk for autism this Sunday,
October 11 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. We’ll be meeting at the corner of Fred
Taylor Drive and Borror Drive, right by the 4-H Center, and this is where
we’ll carry out our protest. We are actively looking for volunteers and
fellow protesters. Our protest has been sparked by, among other things,
Autism Speaks’ recent PSA, titled “I Am Autism,” which presents autistic
individuals as kidnap victims, burdens, and inhuman. In the video, autism is
presented as a soul-stealing entity that ruins marriages, causes bankruptcy,
triggers embarrassment, and erodes morality. Please join us (even if only
for a short while) as we speak back to Autism Speaks and the discrimination
that such a campaign perpetuates.
Campus map & driving directions:
http://www.osu. edu/map/building .php?area= &building= 191
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Note on parking: The OSU Event Parking Coordinator is advising ASAN to park
behind the 4H Center building in their parking lot. There are about 55-60
spaces available. Fred Taylor Drive (the road in front of the parking lot)
will be blocked off at 10 a.m. to prepare for the walk, so everyone will
need to be there before that time if they choose to park there. Getting
dropped off near by or walking from main campus are the other options for
coming later than 10am. Thanks!
Please contact us at asan.ohiostate@ gmail.com with questions.
—
Ari Ne’eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autistic advocacy. org
info@autisticadvoca cy.org
732.763.5530
———— ——— ——— ——— ———
Take a look at our innovative new Public Service Announcement produced with
the Dan Marino Foundation at http://www.nomyths. org
If you like what we do, help support the Autistic Self Advocacy Network by
making a donation at:
https://www. change.org/ donation/ create?charity_ id=211198
Monday, October 12, 2009
Autistic Community Protests Autism Speaks Walk for
Autism<http://asancentralo hio.blogspot. com/2009/ 10/autistic- community- protests- autism.html>
http://asancentralo hio.blogspot. com/2009/ 10/autistic- community- protests- autism.html
On Sunday, October 11, ASAN-Ohio State/Central Ohio members and other
disability rights advocates protested Autism Speaks’ Walk for Autism, held
on the Ohio State campus. Nineteen individuals protested the organization’ s
harmful advertising, unrepresentative leadership, and eugenic aims. Among
the protesters were autistic self-advocates, students, faculty, staff,
parents, children, and other community members.
[image: Tim Jensen holds out a purple flyer to the walkers]
*Tim Jensen holds out a flyer toward
the walkers*
<http://1.bp. blogspot. com/_VyorhzF_ el4/StNZONHXY_ I/AAAAAAAAAEI/ -j51eDtex9o/ s1600-h/Picture+ 1.jpg>
During the first half of the event, protesters faced incoming car traffic
and displayed posters with slogans such as “Nothing about us without us” and
“Autism Speaks does not speak for me.” Some drivers slowed their cars and
honked in anger, while others rolled down their windows and shouted
profanities. Several parents stopped by on foot and asked about the protest,
and these individuals were polite, seemed willing to listen, and took flyers
with them.
*Jeffrey Strasser, Stephanie Ballam, Melanie Yergeau, Justin Rooney, Erika
Strandjord, and Meg Evans hold signs on a street corner near the parking lot
*
<http://4.bp. blogspot. com/_VyorhzF_ el4/StNZkBU- -DI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ ymPs7PzKesU/ s1600-h/PICT0009 .jpg>
The second half of the protest commenced with the actual one-mile walk, and
ASAN protesters greeted walkers with chants of *nothing about us without us*,
*Autism Speaks needs to listen*, and *we’re people, not puzzles*. Protesters
also waved signs and distributed flyers that highlighted why Autism Speaks
does not speak for autistic individuals. While chanting *nothing about us
without us *at the walk’s start, one walk team began shouting O-H-I-O in
order to drown out the protest. A couple mothers told the protesters to “get
a life.” Many individuals, however, were intrigued by the protest and asked
for details. Several indicated surprise at the breakdown of Autism Speaks’
funding (with only 4% going to services) and lack of autistic representation
in the organization, while others insisted that Autism Speaks needs to speak
for autistic individuals.
*The Anderson family displays a colorful sign that reads “Autism is not a
disease”*
<http://2.bp. blogspot. com/_VyorhzF_ el4/StNZvv5WxcI/ AAAAAAAAAEY/ apCBpRneOgE/ s1600-h/PICT0030 .jpg>
ASAN protesters were constrained to one side of the street, and many of the
walkers deliberately avoided walking near the protest line. Several campus
police officers stopped by the protest site to request information as well
as confirm that ASAN’s first amendment rights were not being violated.
*Jeffrey Strasser, Jason Smith, and Stephanie Ballam hold signs that read
“‘Autism Speaks’ against us,” “Autism Speaks does not speak for me,” and
“First class autistic, second class
citizen.”*<http://4.bp. blogspot. com/_VyorhzF_ el4/StNZ4LrKtMI/ AAAAAAAAAEg/ _iA_1sz-81o/ s1600-h/PICT0027 .jpg>
ASAN-OSU/Central Ohio thanks those involved in the protest, from planning to
attendance. Several graduate students affiliated with the Nisonger Center
lent their time, advice, and expertise, and aided with advertising and
information- gathering. Additionally, many students and faculty from the
English Department and Disability Studies program were in attendance at the
protest, and many more helped to make the event a success.
—
Ari Ne’eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autistic advocacy. org
info@autisticadvoca cy.org
732.763.5530
———— ——— ——— ——— ———
Take a look at our innovative new Public Service Announcement produced with
the Dan Marino Foundation at http://www.nomyths. org
If you like what we do, help support the Autistic Self Advocacy Network by
making a donation at:
https://www. change.org/ donation/ create?charity_ id=211198