Freedom drive Strasbourg - people with disabilities rally at the European Parliament

Back in Strasbourg with a bang - I was only one day from Malaysia/ Singapore when I got  involved in the freedom drive.

Here are some links to the event- http://www.vie-independante.org/ (French)
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=71786 (EN)

I still think that the publicity to let people know about this rally was not enough - most people were not aware that it was happening.

Here is the Itinerary and a bit of the history:

Between 5-8 of September over 100 people with disabilities from all across Europe converged on the European Parliament in Strasbourg to highlight the Independent Living and Human Rights issues we feel need action. They met with their respective MEPs with the European Parliament Disability Inter-group, the European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights.

The itinerary for Strasbourg 2005:

5 Sept	All participants arrive in Strasbourg & Solidarity Event
6 Sept	Meetings with individual countries MEPs
7 Sept	Meeting with the Disability Intergroup and rally outside Parliament buildings
8 Sept	Visit the Court of Human Rights and close of Freedom Drive
9 Sept	Departures and Heading Home!

(from the Dublin CIL website )

Here is an introduction to ENIL and the freedom drive - in Strasbourg (pdf)

Here are some photos I took-



Freedom drivers on the way to the European Parliament


In Strasbourg on the way with police escort


Ian from the UK- nothing about us without us!


The media outside the parliament building - did I hear it was all for 23 secs of local tv time? The person they were waiting for was an MEP, I think his name is Richard Howitt. He also chaired the Disability Intergroup.


Part of the French contingent - Stéphane Schoonacker ( Secrétaire National Délégué du Collectif des Démocrates Handicapés) and Dominique Moog (translator in Strasbourg)


Inside the Parliament - Dermott and Ian (the Irish and the English)

I have not included the Norvegians, Austrians who turned up in force. And I am especially happy to have met Dorothea Brozek (WAG)- we have corresponded before. And people with disabilities from other countries.
We also had a great talk about disability and human rights from Mrs Anna Austin from the court of Human Rights.
More later....

Comments

[eleanor]

Thanks paula! I didn't see that you have left a comment:-) I am not sure I make a difference in anybody's life but thank you for saying so.

[Paula]

I am so proud of you Elle, for having strong beliefs, for taking action against what you believe and most of all being the person you are. You make such a difference to peoples lives.