Margaret Mead once wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I was reminded of this notion last Tuesday, June 8th, when twenty-five members of ADAPT interrupted a speech by Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. For one brief moment, these two dozen activists held the eyes of the nation as they demanded Pelosi’s sponsorship of the Community Choice Act.

This was my first ADAPT action in over 15 years. For the first time in a very long time, I had the opportunity to witness grassroots civil rights advocacy directly from the front line.I could tell from the moment we walked through the front door of the Omni Shoreham Hotel that “America’s Future Now” was a mega money think tank funded through large special interest groups. With dozens of crystal chandeliers and enormous bouquets of fresh long stem roses adorning the lobby, it was not the kind of place a grassroots organization could afford to hold a nationwide conference.

As ADAPT folks from Philadelphia and Colorado joined us in the lobby of the hotel, it was obvious to me that our advocates are more than just members – they are a family, bonded by years of fellowship in a struggle for justice spanning almost three decades. Everyone was glad to be there and happy to spend time with friends from across the miles.

On Tuesday morning we headed toward the hotel ballroom to join the “America’s Future Now” plenary session. This conference was sponsored by progressive organizations such as the National Education Association, MoveOn.org, People for the American Way, Center for Community Change, and more. The purpose for the conference, in the words of their literature was to “take the next steps in a reform agenda for America.” The conference included panel discussions and lectures hosted by political consultants, academic professionals, progressive authors and leaders from numerous national organizations.

As we descended on the lift that would carry us from the lobby level to the sub-level ballroom, we were greeted with something less than enthusiasm by one of the conference organizers. “Where are your badges?” she demanded to know. We told her that we were registered and had sent someone to check in for us. She got on her walkie-talkie and called for Security.

A security guard met us at the lift and one of our clever group asked if he would please assist us in operating the lift. He did so happily. Having avoided expulsion, we proceeded to the plenary session and positioned ourselves throughout the room. At first, the room was fairly empty, but as 8:00 a.m. approached the room began to fill with people wearing suits and carrying briefcases. There were many senior citizens in the room, but not many young people.

The first presentation was titled “Breakfast and Big Banks.” Two gentlemen sat on the stage and shared a boatload of statistical information interspersed with jokes that went way over my head.

Eventually, conference organizers came out and introduced the Keynote Speaker, Speaker from the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. Attendees gave Ms. Pelosi a standing ovation as she approached the microphone.

The ADAPT plan was to let Ms. Pelosi speak for 10 or 15 minutes before interrupting her speech. Our plan quickly changed however, after another group, Code Pink, approached the stage and unveiled a banner about violence in Israel. Immediately, ADAPT members removed outer clothing to expose our bright orange tee-shirts and unveiled our own shower curtain banners.

Pandemonium ensued.

ADAPT members started to shout, “Our Homes! Not Nursing Homes!”

Secret Service ran to surround the House Speaker.

Conference organizers scattered, trying to shut down the protesters.

Men and women in suits, ties and pumps approached us – demanding that we stop what we were doing.

The conference organizer who had tried to stop us from getting into the conference earlier came to me and hissed “You came here under false pretenses! You’ll never do this to us again!”

The House Speaker asked everyone to calm down and stated, “I hear you. I understand what you are saying…” Ms. Pelosi has had many opportunities to co-sponsor the Community Choice Act over the years and has chosen not to do so. She may have heard us that morning; she may have understood our words that day, but ADAPT won’t stop shouting until she turns her words into action.

ADAPT chanted on, displaying our message while conference organizers continued to approach me with venomous words and idle threats. “We are your friends! You are alienating us!” “We will never work with you again after this!” One man in a business suit, exasperated with my unwillingness to stop chanting and acknowledge him, presented me with his middle finger.

“You are making us look bad!” said another conference participant.

“We can’t hear what the Speaker is trying to say,” yelled another organizer. “Will you people just shut up? You are ruining this!”

We stood our ground. We chanted louder. We weren’t giving up the floor, no matter what. We came to this event with a message and we wouldn’t leave until Ms. Pelosi heard it. It’s time pass the Community Choice Act.

A large man in a suit tried to grab the shower curtain banner out of my hand. I turned to him and said “Unhand me NOW!” He stepped away and I held my end of the banner higher.

ADAPT doesn’t have a well-funded Political Action Committee. We can’t go home to the safety of an ivory tower. We are not career operatives always worried about our reputations and trying to climb up the ladder. We are just ordinary citizens trying to live independently in the community. It’s as fundamental as the Declaration of Independence and our inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are making our voices heard in the only way left to us – direct action and non-violent civil disobedience.

Watching our “progressive allies” completely decompensate over our surprise display was discouraging. When the sensitivities of the House Speaker gain priority over the human rights of our citizens, our Democracy has malfunctioned. When the first response of the progressive left is to withdraw friendship, I have to wonder if we were ever friends in the first place. I have to wonder how much time these conference participants, having appointed themselves the navigators of America’s future now,” have actually spent learning about the America they propose to save.

At any rate, the speaker concluded her remarks and our action came to an end, but our voices could still be heard as the national media descended quickly upon us. ADAPT veterans gave interviews to the Washington Post, the Washington Times and several independent news outlets. Later in the day, Anita Cameron was asked to appear on Fox news live. All in all, the action was a resounding success as we got our message across to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, many would be progressive allies and the national media. It was a giant leap on the long road to independence.