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Protect Our Future: Rally for Disability Funding

Join Us for a Rally to Protect Disability Funding!

The Arc Minnesota is sponsoring a Rally to Protect Disability Funding, Programs, and Services in response to some alarming, proposed budget cuts.

The latest proposals would cut critical supports, including funding for University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Disability Law Center, and more—on top of previously proposed cuts to Medicaid.

We need your help. Join us at a rally being sponsored by The Arc Minnesota:

📅 Date: Saturday, May 3
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Minnesota State Capitol Mall

The rally will feature self-advocates, program leaders, and legislators sharing on the importance of protecting these essential services.

This is a statewide call to action. Please consider offering rides to others in your area and help us spread the word.

More details, including a full list of speakers, will be shared soon.

Thank you for advocating for essential disability rights and services! Click here to become a member and continue to support the human rights of people with disabilities.

CART and ASL will be available

 

Here is the alt text for the image: **Alt text:** Graphic titled “Event Speakers” showing 16 individuals who will speak at The Arc Minnesota’s “Protect Our Future Rally” on May 3. The speakers include: - **Tina Smith** – U.S. Senator for Minnesota - **Rep Kim Hicks** – Minnesota State Representative, District 25 - **Rep Danny Nadeau** – Minnesota State Representative, District 34A - **Naveh Eldar** – CEO, The Arc Minnesota - **Mai Thor** – Chief Program Officer, The Arc Minnesota - **Jillian Nelson** – Public Policy Director at the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and Self-Advocate - **Sarah Curfman** – CEO, Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota - **Sumukha Terakanambi** – Self-Advocate - **Ashley Oolman** – Chief Equity Officer, Minnesota Governor’s Office - **Amy S. Hewitt** – Director, UMN Institute on Community Integration - **Deqa Farah** – Parent/Advocate - **Jenn Purrington** – Deputy Director and Legal Director, Minnesota Disability Law Center - **Mahdi Warsama** – CEO, Somali Parents Autism Network (SPAN) - **Johnathan Murray** – Community Leader and Self-Advocate - **Jenny Arndt** – Vice Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities - **Tina Rucci** – Public Policy Director, The Arc Minnesota Each speaker is shown in a photo with their name, title, and affiliation on a bright orange or yellow background. Would you like a shortened version for use with social media or alt tags?

 

Confirmed Speakers to Date

 

Accessible Parking & Drop-Off Information

Click here for the Capitol Complex Visitor Map

Drop off: On Cedar and Aurora, just East of the capitol. There is an accessible drop off zone at this location.

Parking:

Senate Building
North of the capitol on University Ave; either use the tunnel inside the building to access the capitol or cross the street.
📍 95 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103

Ramp F
West of the capitol, next to the MN Department of Transportation
📍395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

 

Graphic with the words: Support our continued fight for disability rights! Underneath the next is a Donate Today button which takes you to the donation page on The Arc Minnesota website. To the right is a zoomed out picture from the crowd at the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda during Disability Advocacy Day, 2025.

More ways to help:

We are stronger together! Here are some ways you can help:

  • Help us fund this critical advocacy work—donate today so we can continue to fight together for disability care services. We couldn’t do this work without your support!
  • Become a member of The Arc Minnesota and stay informed and engaged with how you can help advocate for the disability community. There are free and paid membership options available.