York councillors have been told that they can avoid a confrontation with disabled campaigners by using another entrance at a meeting tonight (Thursday).
Those leading the demonstration have reacted with anger at the suggestion, reminding the council: “Disabled people are citizens too.”
Reverse the Ban York is planning to hold a peaceful protest outside the front entrance to the Guildhall before the full City of York Council meeting which starts at 6pm.
It is a coalition of 27 organisations that represent and provide services to disabled and older people.
They are demanding that the council overturns its “discriminatory” ban on Blue Badge parking in York.
The static demonstration comes before a petition of more than 2,700 signatures calling on the council leader to Reverse the Blue Badge Ban is presented to the council leader.
But in an email to all councillors, seen by YorkMix, the council’s head of civic and democratic services Dawn Steel says: “We have been advised that there is to be an organised protest tomorrow night by Blue Badge campaigners outside the Mansion House (from around 5pm). Most likely to be peaceful.
“However we are offering you the opportunity to enter the meeting tomorrow night via the entrance next to the House of Trembling Madness which will be signed, as an alternative should you wish.
“You can of course still enter through the main gates if you prefer.
“A security guard will be present at both entrances. Members of the public will also be free to use the most appropriate entrance for them.”
One of the leaders of Reverse The Ban, Flick Williams, told YorkMix: “If councillors are so ashamed of the decisions they have taken that they feel the need to avoid walking past a few disabled people holding placards, perhaps they need to consider their fitness to be elected representatives.
“Disabled people are citizens too.”
Democracy campaigner Gwen Swinburn described the suggestion that councillors swerve the protest as “outrageous”, adding: “It is cowardice of the worst kind.”
‘End the discrimination’
The news comes as internationally acclaimed disabled academic Tom Shakespeare has backed Reverse The Ban York.
Tom said: “Disabled people are a part of society. The time to end the discrimination that prevents us playing a full part in the life of the city is long overdue.”
Blue Badge parking spaces for people with disabilities have been removed from the footstreets as part of anti-terrorism measures to protect the city from hostile vehicle attacks.
Yet campaigners say the Martin Higgitt Associates Report, commissioned by the council, offers four different schemes that would continue to permit Blue Badge holders access with those measures still in place.
Flick Williams said: “This administration has no idea of the harm it is doing to disabled and older people with this ban. As more time passes the damage done to our health and well being is just compounded.
“Many people who signed our petition simply could not believe a council would act in this way.”
York’s own Paralympian, Beth Moulam, added: “Having a Blue Badge is not a perk or a luxury in life. It is a reasonable adjustment that many rely on in order to take part.”
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