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Indybay Feature

"The People's Day of Reckoning": People with Disabilities Respond to Schwarzenegger

by Photos by Paola Gianturco
Photos copyrighted by Paola Gianturco.
Text by R. Robertson.

Top Photo: The Raging Grannies and others stand inspired by the words of Rosie Bonds-Kreidler, right, outspoken activist for seniors and health care.

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The People's Day of Reckoning is a coalition of organizations representing health and social service recipients, providers and supporters from all over California. They are demanding a balanced budget solution that includes new revenue.

Their name was created in response to a June 3 speech by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in which he said on the floor of the State Assembly, "California's day of reckoning is here...Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up...We must make these cuts and live within our means because what is the alternative?"

On July 15 disability activists and service providers from a variety of organizations answered that very question. They gathered in front of the governor's office in San Francisco and spoke and sang their message as follows:

Governor Schwarzengger,

The alternative is taxing California's most wealthy and corporate plutocrats in the oil industry. A budget solution that would be an alternative would be one based upon shared responsibility and shared sacrifice. Not a solution that falls squarely on the shoulders of children, people with disabilities, elders, the chronically ill, and the unemployed, the poor.

Now, all join the call to action!

It is high time to stop the governor and his legislative allies from slashing programs and make them work instead to gather revenue...particularly from oil companies and the tobacco industry!
§Rosie Bonds-Kreidler
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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Rosie Bonds-Kreidler competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics for the United States in the Women's 80 metre hurdles. She finished in 1st place in the fourth heat of the first round (10.8 seconds). After retiring from athletics she started a career in nursing.
In 2002, the automobile in which she was traveling was rammed by a tractor-trailer, breaking her neck, back and ribs. The injury prevented her from continuing her work as a nurse. Her insurance stopped paying for physical therapy in 2005 and, partly because of this experience, Rosie became an advocate for better health care and senior care. She is the aunt of Barry Bonds.
§Gathering for the rally
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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§Speaker
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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§Speaker
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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§Granny April listening to the speakers
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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Granny April is a K-12 teacher of children with special needs in the public school system.
§Granny Shirley
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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Granny Shirley serves on the County of Santa Clara Human
Relations Commission
§After the speakers, the Grannies sang
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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Songs with a direct message to the governor...don't cut budgets for the most vulnerable...tax the rich!

§Belting out another number
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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Filmed by corporate media
§Hannah, at right, disability rights activist
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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§The rally ended after about one hour of chants, speakers, singing
by Photos by Paola Gianturco
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Headed home, Granny Gail on her disability scooter
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