Committee recommends commemorative plaque for disability rights leader Judy Heumann
May 15, 2023 | San Francisco County, California
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The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted May 15 to recommend a resolution directing the Department of Public Works to install a commemorative plaque or artwork at United Nations Plaza honoring Judy Heumann and the activists who participated in the 1977 Section 504 sit-in.
Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar summarized Heumann's life and leadership and recalled the 25-day sit-in at 50 United Nations Plaza in 1977 that helped prompt issuance of federal Section 504 regulations. "Disability only becomes a tragedy for me when society fails to provide the things that we need to lead our lives," Melgar quoted from Heumann during her remarks.
Speakers from the Mayor's Office on Disability and disability advocacy organizations praised Heumann's mentorship and emphasized the local and national significance of the protests staged at UN Plaza. Nicole Bond, director of the Mayor's Office on Disability, said the commemoration recognizes the movement's impact and told the committee that "it was about time" to mark this history in the city.
Chair Melgar read a set of non-substantive amendments proposed by community members and staff; among the clarifications added were explicit language identifying Judy Heumann as a disabled person and mentor, adding Section 504 references, and noting the role of ASL interpreters, personal care attendants and community allies in the historic sit-in. The amendments also noted community organizations that provided supplies during the sit-in.
The committee voted to amend and recommend the resolution as amended. Recorded votes were: Supervisor Paskett, Aye; Supervisor Preston, Aye; Supervisor Melgar, Aye. The motion to amend and recommend as amended passed (3 ayes). The resolution will return to the full Board for consideration.
(Reporting note: the committee record lists the Department of Public Works as the implementing department and cites the 1977 UN Plaza sit-in as the local historical event the plaque would commemorate.)
Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar summarized Heumann's life and leadership and recalled the 25-day sit-in at 50 United Nations Plaza in 1977 that helped prompt issuance of federal Section 504 regulations. "Disability only becomes a tragedy for me when society fails to provide the things that we need to lead our lives," Melgar quoted from Heumann during her remarks.
Speakers from the Mayor's Office on Disability and disability advocacy organizations praised Heumann's mentorship and emphasized the local and national significance of the protests staged at UN Plaza. Nicole Bond, director of the Mayor's Office on Disability, said the commemoration recognizes the movement's impact and told the committee that "it was about time" to mark this history in the city.
Chair Melgar read a set of non-substantive amendments proposed by community members and staff; among the clarifications added were explicit language identifying Judy Heumann as a disabled person and mentor, adding Section 504 references, and noting the role of ASL interpreters, personal care attendants and community allies in the historic sit-in. The amendments also noted community organizations that provided supplies during the sit-in.
The committee voted to amend and recommend the resolution as amended. Recorded votes were: Supervisor Paskett, Aye; Supervisor Preston, Aye; Supervisor Melgar, Aye. The motion to amend and recommend as amended passed (3 ayes). The resolution will return to the full Board for consideration.
(Reporting note: the committee record lists the Department of Public Works as the implementing department and cites the 1977 UN Plaza sit-in as the local historical event the plaque would commemorate.)
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