1978 Denver Protest and Disability Rights

In 1978, a group of individuals in wheelchairs surrounded and blocked two city buses in Denver over two days, demanding the installation of wheelchair lifts and chanting, "We will ride." This act of civil disobedience played a key role in advancing disability rights.

Historically, individuals with disabilities have faced significant challenges in asserting their rights. The story of civil rights advocate Stephen Hopkins, who signed the Declaration of Independence while managing disabilities, highlights this struggle. It wasn't until the late 20th century that disabled individuals began to actively claim their rights as outlined in the Declaration.

NPR correspondent Joseph Shapiro and Stephanie Wolf from Colorado Public Radio recount this lesser-known event as part of a series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The protest took place at a bustling intersection in downtown Denver, where the Colorado State Capitol stands proudly against the skyline.

Dawn Russell, a disability rights activist, emphasizes the significance of the bus lift now available for her use, stating that every time she rides, she remembers the efforts of the Gang of 19, the group responsible for this change. The Gang of 19's protest at this bus stop nearly 50 years ago was a pivotal moment that led to the installation of wheelchair lifts on city buses.

On July 5, 1978, just after Independence Day, the Gang of 19, consisting mostly of young wheelchair users, blocked two buses in a standoff that lasted overnight. They demanded that Denver's transit agency install wheelchair lifts, advocating for their right to access public transportation.

At the time, disability was not widely recognized as a civil rights issue, and the actions of the Gang of 19 were unprecedented. Many of the participants had previously lived in nursing homes, where conditions were often deplorable, as described by attorney John Holland, who fought for their rights.

Wade Blank, a Presbyterian minister who had previously marched with Martin Luther King Jr., was instrumental in organizing the protest. He encouraged the Gang of 19 to demonstrate at the busy intersection, with George Roberts, one of the activists, positioned at the bus stop to request entry.

When the bus driver denied Roberts access, the group mobilized, blocking the bus and creating a tense situation for law enforcement. The police faced difficulty in managing the situation as they were unsure how to arrest individuals in wheelchairs.

Despite the presence of police, the Gang of 19 remained resolute. As tensions rose, the police ultimately arrested two attendants who were assisting the disabled activists instead of the protesters themselves. John Holland later argued in court that the arrests violated the civil rights of the disabled participants.

The court sided with the Gang of 19, affirming their right to protest and leading to a significant victory: the transit agency agreed to install wheelchair lifts on over 200 buses. This event laid the groundwork for the formation of ADAPT, a disability rights organization committed to advocating for accessible public transit and other civil rights.

Today, Russell reflects on her involvement with ADAPT, through which she has been arrested numerous times in pursuit of rights for disabled individuals. The organization has since expanded its advocacy efforts to address broader issues, including the right of disabled individuals to live independently, in accordance with the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence.

For NPR News, I’m Stephanie Wolf, and I’m Joseph Shapiro.