I was really looking forward to seeing Hillary Clinton at her rally in Philadelphia last night. Hillary has been a strong advocate for people with disabilities. I wanted to attend and show my gratitude and support.
So me and my girlfriend went out on a chilly October night to see Hillary. Only problem was, we never really saw Hillary.
The event was held on the University of Penn campus-outdoors. It seemed kinda stupid to hold a political rally in mid-late October, at night. Even though the weather here has been pretty mild, it's still a good possibility that it would be crisp on a fall evening. And it was-44 degrees during the heart of the rally.
I wondered why the campaign didn't book a warm, indoor place on the Penn campus like the Palestra. I understood why Hillary had picked Penn to speak- she is courting the young vote- but why have the crowd freeze as we waited for her to appear-almost an hour late, no less.
Parking was tough, like usual in University City. We ended up having to walk several blocks from a parking garage, until we met the back of the sprawling line to enter the field where the event was held. Once we got near Franklin Field ( the actual rally was held at an adjacent field), we were whisked out of the line and directed to a special ADA entrance, which was cool, less congestion, and hopefully easier to find our place at the rally before it got too crowded.
The Penn volunteer staff and campaign workers were very nice, however when we entered the field, we were directed to the ADA section where we could see the event. I had even texted a member of the event staff before leaving the house "I'm in a wheelchair," I texted him. "Will I be able to see?"
Ryan's reply was , 'Yes. We have a special ADA section for you. Great view!"
Wrong.
There were only a few wheelchairs in the section. It started to fill up, and soon I would say over 95 percent of the people in the "special" section for people with disabilities did not appear disabled.
They stood the whole time. So when a politician appeared on stage to speak, people in front of me and others in wheelchairs could'nt see anything at all. We could hear the speeches, and knew the stage was just over that guy's shoulder, but we could'nt see anything.
People were even standing on chairs to see over other able-bodied people. No one seemed to care, and there was no staff around-either Penn staff or Clinton staff- to complain to.
All of a sudden i felt very disconnected to the other 8,000 people there. The haves and have nots. I didn't-or couldn't- cheer. While Hillary was speaking against equal rights and discrimination against minorities, I was right there-at her rally- in a supposedly ADA approved section- and I couldn't see her.I felt, this is stupid.Why am I even here?
And that is how it was the entire evening. Hillary Clinton finally came out and gave a rousting talk. But, like Ringo Starr last year at the Tower Theater, I never saw her even once.
I thought, now wait a minute..why did security allow so many able-bodied people to sneak into the ADA section? Security patted everyone down upon entering, even using dogs to sniff out potential weapons, but once inside, one could not find security or police.
Should'nt wheelchairs be up front more/ That way, no one could stand in front. I noticed the front row seats were taken by young, able-bodied student-potential voters, or local politicians.
I guess you had to know someone to get an accessible seat.
We left the rally disappointed. it was fun to be there, on a cold but clear night. But why is it that able-bodied people have a chance to see Hillary-and someone in a wheelchair has no chance?
I blame poor organization, both by the Penn crew and Hillary's campaign. They had to approve everything. They needed someone who was actually in a wheelchair advising that accessibility is NOT ADA standard.
I still admire Hillary for her views and her advocacy for disabled rights. I just wish she would have followed those rights at her very own rally.
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