Wheelchair Traffic Jam at Protest

Hundreds of disabled people parked their wheelchairs in intersections around the state Capitol on Monday, shutting down traffic to protest a system they say gives them few options beyond nursing homes.

Sixty people were arrested, police spokesman Don Aaron said. Fifty were cited for blocking streets and refusing to move, while 10 were taken to jail.

Lawmakers, state workers and legislative staffers were blocked from entering or leaving parking garages as about 400 protesters chanted slogans, held signs and camped out for several hours at busy intersections.

Participants came from all over the country to complain about Tennessee’s long-term care system for the disabled.

Mark Johnson, spokesman for the protest organizers, said most long-term care money in Tennessee goes to nursing homes, and disabled people don’t have a choice to stay in their own homes if they need financial assistance.

Jose Lara of El Paso concurred. “People with disabilities are being forced to live in institutions and nursing homes.”

State Sen. Steve Cohen is sponsoring a bill that would allow money spent on nursing homes to be used for alternative community care, such as a personal care attendant.

“There’s no question that people want to stay at home and are better served at home,” said Cohen, a Democrat.

Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen called the protest “an extreme publicity stunt.”