Press Release / Action Alert: Prejudice in Ocala, FL
Tasteless humor: It’s not just for Don Imus anymore. Below, a reproduction of a press release from the National Center on Independent Living.
Boycott Hate
On Monday, April 16th, 2007 Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida staff at the Ocala branch office received a call from a consumer who was concerned about a street sign posted in front of Hercules Fence Co., Inc. and Good Guys Auto Service in Ocala, FL. The sign read: “What has four-wheels and flies? A dead cripple in a wheelchair.”Upon finding the sign, CIL staffer, Carol Terrillion, entered the business and raised the issue with the employees. No one was willing to take responsibility for the sign or take it down. CIL staff immediately went to work, plugging into local consumer and community networks. Additionally, CIL staff quickly organized a protest and press conference in front of Hercules Fence/Good Guys Auto Service. NCIL joins the CIL in asking people to participate in a telephone campaign to educate this business about this hateful treatment of people with disabilities.
Hercules Fence can be reached at (352) 624-1822.
On Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 CIL Director, William Kennedy, led a press conference and protest. The press conference was covered by local TV, radio and print media. Advocates from FACL, FILC, the Advocacy Center for People with Disabilities, and others got the word out statewide. By the end of the day we estimate that over 100 callers voiced their disgust with the sign by placing telephone calls to the businesses. Local ABC affiliate TV20 ran coverage of the press conference at 6 PM and 11 PM.
On Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 the story ran on the front page of the Ocala Star Banner and it was the topic of discussion on all three major local radio talk shows. The CBS affiliate Channel 10 from Tampa Bay as well as ABC affiliate Channel 9 from Orlando visited both the business and the CIL. While at Hercules Fence/Good Guy Auto Service the Channel 10 reporters were assaulted by employees of the company and pushed out the door. The reporters met with Marion County Sheriffs’ deputies at the CIL office and filed a police report. A report also aired on WESH Ch. 2 in Orlando and WJXT Ch. 4 in Jacksonville.
In the afternoon CIL Director went to an area sign company and had a sign made: a 2 x 8 ft. magnetic sign which read “Boycott Hate.” William stuck the sign on his van and drove out to Hercules Fence/Good Guy Auto Service location and parked in front of the business in time to be seen by 5 o’clock traffic. Maricamp Road, where the business is located, is a major thoroughfare. Many cars honked and gave a thumbs-up to William. However, at one point William was confronted by an employee and business patron and a small shouting match/debate ensued.
NCIL urges advocates to contact Hercules and express outrage over this ignorant hate speech. Hercules Fence can be reached at (352) 624-1822. Much thanks to all Center for Independent Living staff who confronted the business and continue to raise awareness about the rights of people with disabilities in Florida.
Even if the sign is changed by the time you see this. it’s a sad world that it was ever there, on a main road, near a major business.
