Tornado Alley (PROG)

[BOREALIS]

Trump hits new low and kicks out a disabled protester, Clinton staffers rally to raise him high

By Jen Hayden
Monday Nov 07, 2016 · 10:29 AM CST


JJ Holmes and President Obama soaring high together

JJ Holmes is a young boy with cerebral palsy and although he can’t vote, he wanted to make his voice heard. He asked his mother to take him to a Trump rally and what happened next is peak deplorable:
https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.defalco.1/posts/955061457933647?pnref=story

This is truly disturbing to me ... What I witnessed while covering a Trump rally today. Wheelchair-bound JJ Holmes, 12, who has cerebral palsy, and his family were ordered out of Saturday's Trump rally by Trump after they chanted for Hillary Clinton. JJ begged his mom, Alison, to travel over two hours so he could attend. JJ begged his mom, Alison, to travel over two hours so he could attend. Unable to speak, JJ communicates through a special device similar to Stephen Hawkings. JJ is passionate about politics and concerned about the future of all humans but especially those with disabilites. Alison said the family was kicked by Trump supporters and had to shield JJ's wheelchair as Trump supporters gathered to push JJ's wheelchair out of their space. Alison was called a child abuser and a murderer. This is just so, so sad! Tears are burning my eyeballs but then I look at JJ smiling afterwards when he asked his mom if she is proud of him.

Trump himself ordered the boy and his mother to be thrown out of the rally. His deplorable supporters taunted them on the way out. Taunting a disabled child? The lowest of the low. Little did JJ Holmes know that his courage would carry him all the way to a meeting with President Obama. Valentina Pereda, Hillary Clinton’s Florida press secretary, heard about the ugly scene and joined with President Obama’s staffers to take action.

Read Pereda’s heartwarming account of the Holmes family feeling low after the Trump rally, and Hillary Clinton’s staff and President Obama lifting them high:
https://www.facebook.com/PeredaValentina/posts/1690021007981150

Today was hands down the best day of my time in the campaign. No words can even explain... but I will try.

Yesterday, a reporter called me in tears after witnessing a 12-year old living with an extreme case of cerebral palsy get kicked out of a Donald Trump rally.

He had told his mother that he wanted to stand up for the disability community, so he asked to be taken to a Trump rally. JJ was terrified about what Trump's America would mean for people like him, so he - unable to vote but possessing the bravery to still make his voice heard - was determined to go and protest. Once there, JJ did a simple, quiet, but defiant act: he held up a Hillary Clinton placard.

Immediately, the crowd started chanting "USA, USA, USA" (as if this had anything to do with it... or perhaps he was unAmerican for being disabled?), and Trump pointed to security and ordered them to "get them out!".

As Secret Service escorted JJ, his mother and two sisters, Trump supporters shouted obscenities and even kicked his wheelchair.

What kind of nation do we live in?

While I'm listening to this story, I freeze: first in disbelief and, next, feeling utterly helpless. What the hell could I do to make this child even slightly forget that experience? I'm a nobody!

I tell the reporter to share my number with JJ's mother and that the only thing I can do is escort them into President Obama's rally the following day. No chance for VIP treatment and much less to meet the President.

This morning, JJ's mother calls me and asks if my promise of getting them into the event is realistic. She wanted to be extra cautious before sharing the news with JJ. I said yes, I can get them in, but that's it.

As I arrive at the venue hours before the start of the show, I pace around the stadium examining routes to wheel JJ into the VIP area. The ADA zone was too far from the stage, and I wanted JJ to be as close as possible. I conspire with my colleague Angela Johnson and we start devising a plan.

JJ's mother calls me to tell me they've arrived. Once I greet her, I huddle the family to go over the course of action. We needed to swim through a sea full of people, cross muddy turf and then break through another wall of people to finally settle in the VIP area. Then, it was mission on.

All political staffer knows the attitude one needs to put on to escort a "principal".... so I turned my mode on. I walked in front of the wheel chair and began asking folks to please break away. Overly assertive and resolute to get JJ to his spot, we were able to hike across the field and settle into the target zone.

Mission accomplished.

Until, of course, my mind begins to race again. I pace back and forth as I swift through mundane work emails... right then and there, I decide to "go rouge". (gasp!!!)

Immediately, I messaged a friend that I knew could help and told him the story. He asked if someone had reported on it (again, one first listens with disbelief) and I forward him a blog. Not much pick up from the press.

I point to him where in the VIP area JJ is sitting with the hope that when POTUS would work the ropeline, he'd somehow remember JJ's story and spend two extra seconds with him.

And with that, I was satisfied with was to be accomplished. A handshake.

Mission Pt. II accomplished.

So I sneak out of the stadium mid-POTUS speech in order to avoid the traffic. Shortly after, colleagues begin to frantically text and call me to tell me my friend from the WH was looking for me.

I sprint about half a mile back into the stadium and push my way through angry Secret Service agents and thick crowds. I finally spot my friend who, once again, asks me to point out where the boy is sitting, which I do. Then - out of the blue - I tell him, "well, how about I wheel him out of the VIP area and bring him around?"

My friend thinks about it for a second, looks around for other accomplices, and nods his head with approval. I run back into the crowd and to the VIP section. Once again, I enlist Angela and together we swim into a sea of people to wheel JJ out, through the turf, and finally reach my friend who escorts us to the other side of the barricades.

Wow, this is really happening.

At that moment, JJ's mom tells him he's going to meet the President. The rest is indescribable.... JJ jumps out of his seat and erupts into cheer... his smile almost bursting out of his face. His body overcome by light, when just the day before it almost succumbed to hate.

The rest of the story is explained by the pictures below.

My lesson: Always have the courage to do what feels right. The universe will always conspire.

2 days.

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/11/7/1592591/-Trump-hits-new-low-and-kicks-out-a-disabled-protester-Clinton-staffers-rally-to-raise-him-high