Kibo LaRocca and organizer Alma Schneider lead the walk and roll to Rand Park at the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Montclair, NJ – On May 21st, hundreds of people showed up to celebrate the disability community in Montclair in the 3rd annual Montclair Disability Pride Rally, sponsored by the Montclair Friday Group (a parents support and social action group for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities); the Montclair State University Disability Caucus; and the People with Disabilities Advisory Committee to the Town of Montclair.
Montclair State university faculty, staff, and students marched in support of disability justice and inclusive education. Photo: Norman Rosenblum.Attendees prepare to march and roll to Rand Park at the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Guest speakers included, among many other local residents and MSU students, Steve Way (from the hit Hulu show Ramy), a 32-year-old actor, comedian, writer and speaker. He was born with Muscular Dystrophy and is an advocate for disability rights. The parade also featured Patrice Jetter, longtime Montclair crossing guard, Special Olympic Olympian and disability rights activist. Jetter is currently engaged in activism combating the injustice of marriage inequality for people with disabilities who lose their benefits from the government if they choose to be legally married.
Guest speaker Steve Way, from the hit Hulu series “Ramy,” told the crowd that they should be proud of the organizers and themselves. “Ten years ago an event like this wouldn’t have happened,” he said in Rand Park during the rally following the Disability Pride Parade, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Other speakers spoke about ableism and the need to make buildings wheelchair accessible, the need to shift how we view disability, and the need for inclusivity in schools and all settings in the community.
Paraprofessional Lora Orta and MHS student Jessica Kunkin pose at the beginning of the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Noah Gale performs “True Colors” during the rally at Rand Park following the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Patrice Jetter dances during a musical performance at Rand Park at the rally following the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Disability rights activist Minal Rosenblum holds sign at the start of the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Attendees of the Disability Pride Parade march to Rand Park on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Proud Dad marches to Rand Park at the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Marie Gourdet holds sign during march to Rand Park at the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (CASSIDY SHAPIRO / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Priya Lalvani, professor of disability studies at Montclair State University, holds a sign in support of inclusive education on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (WILLIAM PENN / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Attendees sway to Noah Gale’s performance of “True Colors” at Rand Park following the Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, May 21, 2023. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
