March from the Brandenburg Gate to the Office of the
Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel
Berlin - Germany

May 10- 2011

PHOTOS:

On 10 May 2011, over 1,000 people protested using painted umbrellas
against persisting discrimination and brought together the demands of
many regional action-groups before the Federal Government of Germany.
This event was supported by the German Matt Lamb Society.  The central
demand of the protest was that the Government implement the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities both fully and
without delay.  Also key to the demonstration was the right of all
individual to full participation in society, including good employment,
good living conditions, assistance, and accessibility--all regardless of
income.  These are all necessary elements of a self-determined,
dignified life, free of discrimination.

"The umbrella is a wonderful symbol for inclusion.  Under them, people
of every origin, with and without disabilities, are able to come
together," said Silvia Schmidt, founder of the federal initiative
"Living at Home instead of Institutional Care" *“At Home, not In a
Home”* ("/Daheim statt Heim/") during the rally in front of the Federal
Chancellery.  Schmidt continued, "The UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities has been the law of the land in Germany for
over two years now, and yet, those affected are seeing few results.  The
UN Convention must become reality for the people it affects.  Both
federal and regional governments need to get down to work."

The event  began with a rally at the Brandenburg Gate and then continued
with a march through the Governmental Quarter of Berlin before wrapping
up with a second rally in front of the Federal Chancellery.  Overall,
the event--which had been organized by /Daheim statt Heim/, the Social
Association of Germany (/Sozialverband Deutschland/), and the Berliner
Association of Disabled Persons (/Berliner Behindertenverband/)--was a great success.

Silvia Schmidt, MdB
Behindertenbeauftragte der SPD-Bundestagsfraktion

Deutscher Bundestag
Platz der Republik 1
11011 Berlin
Tel  (030) 227 73109
Fax  (030) 227 76627
silvia.schmidt@bundestag.de
Ein Klick - und Sie sind auf meiner Homepage: http://www.silviaschmidt.de

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