Please share with family, friends, and your community groups!
Please join us on Friday, May 12th at 11:30 AM at the St. Paul Federal Courthouse for a peaceful rally defending civil rights for people with disabilities. Then, at 1 PM, join us inside the federal court to watch the Murphy v. Harpstead hearing. This case is about choice, specifically the rights of people with disabilities who live in group homes in Minnesota. During the hearing, people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and lawyers will share their opinions about whether the proposed agreement is fair or not. We believe the proposed agreement is unfair.
Here is a one-page rally information flier (Google Doc) (PDF) with details. RSVP and get more information!
In 2016, this case was filed to help Minnesotans with disabilities living in group homes, often with up to four roommates. These Minnesotans didn't have the same choices as non-disabled people. They couldn't choose who they spent time with, what they did, or what they ate. They wanted to live, work, and play like everyone else, but they couldn't do that.
People with disabilities have the right to live where they want and to make their own choices. This is called the Integration Mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The US Supreme Court confirmed this right in its Olmstead Decision during 1999. But, in this case, many Minnesotan weren't offered — or even allowed — that right.
Recently, a proposed agreement was made, but some people think it's not fair for Minnesotans living in group homes. Misti Okerlund is one of the lawyers representing six of those Minnesotans who think the agreement is unfair. Two of these people, Lance Hegland and Lauren Thompson, were afraid of getting in trouble for speaking up, so they used aliases at first. But now, they want to speak up publicly and share their story during the May 12th hearing. Come hear what they have to say!
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