Advocates shut down Assembly

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CDRNYS

Advocates shut down Assembly

Capitol Confidential – Times Union
Posted on March 15, 2011 at 3:28 pm by Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau in Budget 2011, State Assembly

About a dozen people in wheel chairs — who were gathered by the New York Association on Independent LIving and the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association — have halted action in the State Assembly.

They’re sitting in the back. Lawmakers are milling. Some State Troopers are eying them, but don’t seem too keen on making arrests.

They’re chanting: “We believe in freedom won’t rest until we have our choice.”

The Assembly passed a bill by Keith Wright extending unemployment insurance by 17 weeks, but then action ground to a halt.

UPDATE: They eventually left and the operations of the chamber continue.