The Revolution Must Be Accessible: Reject Able-ism | Mickey Z.

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Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

June 20, 2013

"I wish we could stop fighting. But so many of our people are still incarcerated in nursing homes and other institutions, so many are still living below the poverty level, so many are being denied basic human rights, including the right to live. We still face prejudice and discrimination in every area of our lives on a daily basis. So we have no choice but to keep fighting. Activism must come first."

- Nadina LaSpina

The 2013 NYC Anarchist Bookfair may turn out to be a major teaching moment -- but not for the reasons you might expect.

Each spring, I look forward to the Anarchist Bookfair. Whether or not I am participating on a panel or just browsing the tables, this event is often the one chance per year I get to see certain out-of-state comrades.

This year, however, I consciously and loudly opted to skip the Anarchist Bookfair because the organizers chose a venue that was not wheelchair accessible. Presented as being “open to everyone,” the event would have been more accurately described as “open to anyone able to climb a few steps.”

Thus, I boycotted the bookfair in solidarity with my many comrades with disabilities and -- in the name of sparking awareness and conversation -- I posted about this widely on Facebook and have mentioned it whenever I speak at other events.

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http://worldnewstrust.com/the-revolution-must-be-accessible-reject-able-ism-mickey-z