Rebelwheels' Soapbox

A collection of original essays, articles and poetry by Rebelwheels NYC aka: Michele Sommerstein

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

Now That Zohran Mamdani Won, Let’s Talk About Disability Erasure: From A Disabled New Yorker Who Voted For Him

by Michele Sommerstein

The following is a call-in (opposed to calling someone one out), a call for solidarity, accountability, and action.

Don’t get me wrong. Like many New Yorkers who voted for Mamdani, I am a big fan of the policies that he ran on, and I look forward to them becoming a reality.

The support for small business, free buses, protection for the queer community (of which I am a part of), fair wages, support for Unions, protection for immigrants especially against ICE (which should be abolished), and so much more.

As an anti-Zionist Jew, it’s nice to finally have a mayor who knows that not all Jewish people have the same ideas regarding safety. And as an intersectional activist on the left, I strongly believe that in so many ways, he is what this city needs right now, especially in these times. And because the disability community is a marginalized group in our own right, that also exists within every oppressed demographic, these are all ideas that we, too, will benefit from.

Related: Mamdani offers real solutions for mental health

There was no way I was giving my vote to Cuomo, who caused disgusting amounts of harm and death to the disability and/or senior communities during the height of the pandemic. Because it wasn’t just senior New Yorkers stuck in those nursing homes. Disabled people far too often are forced against our will from our homes and communities and into nursing homes and institutions, in lieu of the rich being fairly taxed. And we get it from both sides. The Democrats and Republicans are both complicit in our oppression.

Related: Governor Hochul: New Yorkers Need Care, Not Corruption! Not to mention the countless number of women whom he sexually harassed, Cuomo, who was recently endorsed by the Orange Fascist, I could go on, but need I say more?

And as I shared Mandani’s videos and filled out my absentee ballot giving him my vote, I felt a mixture of anxiety (in which the idea of him losing invoked) and, dare I say, hope that frankly has not been in abundance in these times. Another world is possible, but god damn.

Especially in these times of fascism, it is vital that no oppressed group is left behind. When the disability community is not included, we are not only harmed, but the harm goes unnoticed or “justified” and then repeats. I remember the moment at the start of the pandemic when Mayor Bill de Blasio failed to mention disabled people regarding the next steps. And I thought, “Oh shit, he didn’t mention us.” I watched it two more times, surely I had missed it, but no. We were erased. “This is bad…” I thought to myself, and it was. Related: Disabled in NYC: My Covid Story

Related: First they came for disabled people...

Which is why, when I saw that while Mamdani was showing solidarity for all the other marginalized communities on his campaign website, I felt this grave disappointment and exhaustion when I saw that the disability community was not included. He is this embodiment of the idea that another world is possible, a world for the people, not the wealthy few, and then… cue sad trumpet noise

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: a vertical 11x18 poster with a bright yellow background. There is a thick, hot pink diagonal rectangle that in the upper center and goes upward towards the right. Beyond that the poster is just mostly text of a various & cool fonts. The main text which takes up the most room and is a variety of fonts that have either a glamorous or punk aesthetic and is yellow and black reads: "There is no collective liberation. Without disabled people" And then in a smaller font there are other lines of text which are the same colors as the main text but every line has a black rectangle behind it. The words collective liberation are in that pink diagonal rectangleTop: disability exists within every other marginalized community. Under the pink rectangle towards the right: ableism is the false idea that disability is by default inferior. Bottom: unlearn and destroy all forms of Supremacy including ableism. Lastly In a small plane font the words designed by Michele Sommerstein and The radix logo."] And while I am happy he won, there is no excuse for the erasure. These are two valid things that exist at the same time and don’t negate each other. There is literally a Mayor’s Office For People With Disabilities, and at least on the national website for DSA (Democratic Socialists of America), they have a disability workgroup. So, to be aware of all of that (I don’t see how he couldn’t be), and still not include the disability community as he did with all the other oppressed groups, is lacking solidarity, dangerous, and hurtful.

And I’m tired because disability erasure is not a fluke. It’s so common that when we are actually properly included, it feels like a novelty. I am so tired of having to remind people, especially in 2025, that disabled people exist. And it’s not like able-bodied people don’t know that. When I go out in my motorized wheelchair (aka: Ms Ava Sequoia LaRue), with my disability quite visible (and proud #represent), able-bodied people have no problem noticing that I very much exist. The prolonged gawking, rooted in either pity, disdain/disgust, confusion, or "inspiration". Sentiments in which people sometimes feel far too comfortable verbally expressing. So people know that we exist. The problem is that we are not viewed as full-fledged human beings. Related: Any access that we have has been hard fought for, not gifted. Related: Project 2025 and the Disability Community

Furthermore, because ableism says disability equals inferior, we are then expected to be grateful for any crumbs that we might get. We are not concepts that exist for able-bodied consumption. We vary and are deserving of rights and liberation, like any other marginalized group.

[ID: A graphic with a white background and black “typewriter” font text. It reads, ”Ableism is… (a form of) discrimination. The false idea that disabled people are by default, inferior. When in truth, disability is just another way for a mind and/or body to be.”] I waited to write this article until after the election, fully aware that this call in (vs calling him out) for solidarity, accountability, and action could be used against him by Cuomo and the MAGA crowd. The same people who, going by who they support, do not have solidarity for disabled people. Far too often, our oppression is used as a prop when it suits their agenda and is quickly abandoned when it does not. So, where do we go from here? We can’t change the past. We can only acknowledge, learn, grow, and do better. Because if the goal is truly a city for the people, then we must go forward with real solidarity for all marginalized New Yorkers.

After all, the disability community is a marginalized demographic in our own right, who also exists within every other marginalized group. Therefore, there is no collective safety nor liberation without us. In the end, a real revolution leaves no marginalized people behind.

[image description: (edited to fit within the character limits of most social media sites) photo. motorized wheelchair. protest sign on external side of elevating legs rests. sigh description: horizontal rectangle. Thick white border. Within that a red rectangle with a horizontal pink triangle where the point is facing left. The pink triangle is a bit more than half the width of the graphic. The main text, modern white font except silent (yellow), genocide (green), fascism (green) each line has a black rectangle behind it that is horizontal. The text reads don’t be silent in times of genocide & fascism. right of The text quote in times of genocide end quote there is a watermelon slice illustration a symbol of Palestinian liberation. & to the left of the lines genocide and fascism there is an image of an orange with a yellow circle & line going diagonally aka no orange as in no orange fascist Underneath the larger text, same font same style of white text with black rectangle behind it but in a smaller size it reads leave no oppressed groups behind including the disability community.]

Author's Note: Thank you to Jennifer Marie Bartlett, who partially inspired this article (but not in an ableist way).

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

Why Zionism Can Never Work & Why Antisemitism Has Nothing To Do With It: An Anti-Zionist Jewish Perspective

The following is an article about safety. While it's not always negative, often when I speak out online as an anti-Zionist Jewish activist against the occupation, genocide, and persecution of Palestinians, one of the following three things typically occurs: Sometimes I am viciously yelled at (sometimes threatened) by Zionist Jews online, and it makes you wonder, is this their idea of “Jewish safety”? Especially as a woman, I can say that it doesn’t feel very safe. And honestly, the more I see how my government and even Israel react to any kind of dissent, the more I see that the powers that be really only offer "safety" to those who conform and comply with the state. But stray from the narrative that they've chosen for us, and you see what they really think about Jewish people. The second thing that sometimes happens is nothing at all. Crickets. My post gets no or very little response. Is this due to the algorithm's suppression of such posts in an attempt to discourage the public from taking action? Perhaps. It's also possible that what I created just didn't resonate with people. Either way, it’s a waste of energy to dwell on and try to figure it out, because you can’t. You can only try to be mindful and contribute to the collective effort of resistance, solidarity, and safety for all.

Related: 5 Days in Israel's Desert Prison: Jewish Flotilla Activist David Adler on Harrowing Detention Ordeal

But then every once in a while, a person who is a Zionist Jew will engage with me in a calm and, what feels like, a more sincere manner. Sometimes it’s an attempt to understand where I am coming from and why. Sometimes it’s done with the intention of stating their case that I am not as anti-Zionist as I think I am. And this happened the other day. “Well, let me ask you a question,” they said, “Are you against the Jewish people having our own homeland?” And as I gave it some thought and how I would phrase my response, it dawned on me that, in regard to safety, Zionism can never work. Obviously not for Palestinians (which is not only ethically wrong but counterproductive to safety, more on that later), but also not for Jews. And despite what Zionist powers would likely claim, antisemitism has really nothing to do with that. Allow me to explain, (and then yes, I will answer that question, for it’s all related.) For one, the fact that Zionism falsely equates even valid criticism (because yes, that is a thing), with antisemitism is immensely hazardous to the Jewish people. It waters down the word, which leads to people taking actual claims of antisemitism less seriously, which makes us less safe. If, as a disabled person (among other identities), I equated all criticism of me to people just being ableist, even during instances where I am rightfully being called out for missing the mark, it would be considered not only false but also ridiculous. I would also be causing harm to the disability community, because anyone who encounters such behavior would be more likely to not take actual instances of ableism as seriously. While social and systemic ableism most definitely exists and for many of us it infiltrates most aspects of our daily lives, the idea that just because I experience oppression, that I should be above accountability is absurd. After all, you can simultaneously be a victim while also being the oppressor. And like two separate planets in a solar system, the existence of one does not negate the other. But of course, it’s much worse when it’s not just an individual, but a powerful country like Israel, that is receiving billions of dollars for weapons from the powers that be, and who is doing more than merely missing the mark. Of course, actual antisemitism (opposed to anti-Zionism) still occurs, but no country should be exempt from criticism or accountability, especially when they contribute to the oppression of another group of people. And for any Zionist to say “Well, that’s antisemitic to even say that” is false and dangerous. It also begs the question: why does Israel and Zionism feel the need to skirt any kind of accountability? Why does it tell people, especially Jews, that to even question anything that it does means that you are causing harm, that you’re a “bad Jew”. And if you’re not Jewish, and you point out the existence of Palestinian oppression via Israel, then you’re just being anti-Semitic. That’s not safety or solidarity, that’s manipulation. But let’s get back to the person’s question: “Are you against the Jewish people having their own homeland?” Because as they went on to explain, if you are okay with this, then you’re not anti-Zionist. And it’s true that Zionist beliefs do vary, but for the sake of this article, I will be going by the more mainstream definition, which is typically how it’s been explained to me. Merriam-Webster Dictionary says Zionism is defined as "an international movement originally for the establishment of a Jewish national or religious community in Palestine and later for the support of modern Israel."

Jewish Voices For Peace, a Jewish-led activist group, says "[Zionism] is an ideology that says there should be a specifically Jewish state, an ethnonationalist state, in a territory where the majority of the population was Palestinian. True enough, there were some early Zionists who had visions of coexistence between Jews and Palestinians. But in recent years, the dominant version of Zionism has meant establishing a Jewish supremacist state. And just as it was not anti-white to oppose the white-supremacist regime in South Africa, so too it is not antisemitic or anti-Jewish to oppose the Jewish supremacist regime in Israel-Palestine." Related: But aren’t the Jewish people the original ancestors of Palestine/Israel? According to a UN article,“In early times, Palestine was inhabited by Semitic peoples”. It should be noted that Semitic in this instance does not solely refer to Jews. “The earliest being the Canaanites. According to tradition, Abraham, the common ancestor of the Jews and the Arabs, came from Ur to Canaan.” (source: https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-206581/) Related: “B’tselem Elohim. We Honor the Sanctity of Life. All life is sacred. This is true of Jewish and Israeli life no more or less than Palestinian life.” (source: https://rabbis4ceasefire.com/about)

The truth is, I'm not against any marginalized community having their own homeland, as long as, and this is the important part, it is not at the expense or exploitation of other people. That it’s not done via imperialism, colonization, and violence. And while I am not negating the existence of actual antisemitism, nor the instances where antisemitic people who exploit the topic of Israel as an excuse to spew prejudice and discrimination, the truth is that the majority of people are not against the Jewish community having their own homeland. What we are against is that it’s at the expense of the Palestinian people. And this is a very important distinction. It’s also another reason why Zionism can never result in safety. The truth is, there's no remaining land that is free and unoccupied. And because this is true, the only way any group of people, but in this case Zionism (again going by the mainstream definition), can have their own homeland is via violence and theft. This is not only ethically wrong, but we, of all people who have been persecuted and displaced, who know the trauma of these kinds of actions, should never do this to others. But also, it can never lead to this promised idea of safety, because it is logistically impossible to achieve safety via oppression. And this is not because of antisemitism, it’s because it's logistically impossible for anyone to do so, for there will always be consequences. And while all of this did not start on October 7th, 2023, it is sadly a traumatic but prime example of this. With all the billions of dollars that Israel receives for weapons, and still. And genocide won’t change that, collaborating with fascists won’t change that, in fact, it will only make things worse. The more violence, oppression, and trauma that Israel (in this instance) causes, the more consequences there will be. And that’s not due to antisemitism; this truth is logistically and universally applicable to all (taking into account the influence of systemic privilege). Related: Why is the ADL defending Nazi salutes?

The truth is, the powers that be, via The Balfour Declaration, dangerously and arrogantly “gifted” the Zionists land that was never theirs to give. The powers that be have a habit of doing this (as if there were never going to be consequences to their actions), which causes decades upon decades of harm. Related: "As Israel escalates its genocidal violence by killing and starving Palestinians, and by driving them from their homes, it’s time to Block the Bombs!" - blockthebombs.org They’re always pitting marginalized groups against each other, as if somehow we all can’t be safe and free.

So if the end goal is really all about Jewish safety, then we need to re-think what real safety and collective safety looks like, because it’s not going to happen via Zionism. And I say collective because there can be never real safety when it’s only “safety for one group of people”. It doesn’t work. Because in the end, real safety is all the marginalized people united, and yes that includes Jews and Palestinians. That is the only way safety can be achieved.

For more information, check out: jewishvoiceforpeace.org ifnotnowmovement.org jfrej.org mpowerchange.org globalsumudflotilla.org gazasoupkitchen.org wck.org

[image description: (edited to fit within the character limits of most social media sites) photo. motorized wheelchair. protest sign on external side of elevating legs rests. sigh description: horizontal rectangle. Thick white border. Within that a red rectangle with a horizontal pink triangle where the point is facing left. The pink triangle is a bit more than half the width of the graphic. The main text, modern white font except silent (yellow), genocide (green), fascism (green) each line has a black rectangle behind it that is horizontal. The text reads don't be silent in times of genocide & fascism. right of The text quote in times of genocide end quote there is a watermelon slice illustration a symbol of Palestinian liberation. & to the left of the lines genocide and fascism there is an image of an orange with a yellow circle & line going diagonally aka no orange as in no orange fascist Underneath the larger text, same font same style of white text with black rectangle behind it but in a smaller size it reads leave no oppressed groups behind including the disability community.]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

1st, the orange fascist erased the T from the Stonewall monument, & now is erasing the B. And combined with everything else t at's happening, it's just too much (& by design). So, here's some #anti-fascist #artwork from a B 🐝 in solidarity with all who resist

(source: https://www.advocate.com/news/bisexual-rights-stonewall-national-monument )

(alt text is edited to fit in the character limits of other social media sites, and thus why it's not in full sentences)

[ID: Collage. White border. Background layered, waterpaint circles some overlap Colors: blues blue purples greens oranges reds pinks Next layer 5 vertical strips, fill upside down american flag. Smaller upside down American flag upper left Next layer left side, vertically stacked, 3 hollow circles with line diagonally across, symbol for no. border reasonably thick Top circle, photo of orange. white background, middle: green pencil with eraser on pride flag Bottom: illustration ice cube black background To Right 6, 2 columns, symbols vertically stacked, black borders not crossed out 1st column: 1st symbol: photo lettuce head pink background “L” on top. Coming out of border, red & black hand pointing @ orange with small protest sign brown stick yellow sign black text “fight fascism” 2nd symbol diamond shape inside : bee over white with black polkadots, diagonal thick red line, 2 markers from border, pointing at erasing pencil & orange. 3rd symbol. rounded wide rectangle 3 people shapes from the waist up swooping black arrow beneath aka queue symbol Background white & lavender diagonal stripes Text “queue” vertically stacked on left inside rectangle. From order, purple blowdryer with flames. “abolish ice”. Speech bubble “immigrants are welcome here”. 2nd column 1st symbol: circle black border yellow fill, horizontal black lines, G sharp ( # o) whole note, from border, 2 people 1 facing left, 1 facing right Megaphones black silhouettes shooting rainbow & pride flag colors 2nd symbol: rounded vertical rectangle Pink & blue diagonal stripes Next layer: tea bag, white & brown from border, red & black protest fist. 3rd symbol: lime green circle black border centered black + sign Text: “(plus)” underneath + from border Palestinian flag protest sign Below 2 bottom symbols, white script font reads “stop all genocides” lower right hand corner White faded text “@ rebel wheels NYC”]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

Anti-Fascist & Disabled AF 2nd Disability Resistance! protest, NYC 6/8/25 <3 Photos taken by Michele Sommerstein / Disability Resistance!

#DisabilityResistance More info about the protest: "We are Disability Resistance!, a NYC activist group. Disabled led. Anti-Fascism & Anti-Ableism. (COVID masks are required at all events) Disabled people exist within every other marginalized group. There is no collective liberation without us." https://www.facebook.com/DisabilityResistance [IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS: TOP IMAGE: A disabled activist is standing and leaning up against a column in the plaza in front of Fox headquarters in New York City. They're wearing all black. Their outfit is a black dress with a long sleeve blacktop or the sleeves are somewhat transparent. They have purple and pink hair which is slightly wavy and they are wearing a black kn95 covid mask. They're protest sign which is a black rectangle with a thin white border and a bold white font reads anti-fascist and disabled AF. The activist is not looking at the camera but looking towards the left. BOTTOM IMAGE: A disabled activist is sitting in their manual wheelchair. They're dressed in a black T-shirt and black pants with white and black sneakers. Their hands have black fingerless gloves. One of which is on the wheel and the other is holding the bottom corner of their protest sign which has a black lanyard that is around their neck. The protest sign is a black horizontal rectangle with a thin white border and a bold white font and the text reads disabled people against fascism. The activist is wearing a black KN95 covid mask and eyeglasses. Their hair which is pushed back in a bit behind their ears, goes to their upper back is a mixture of brown and gray and they are looking a bit to the side and at the camera. There in the plaza in front of Fox headquarters where everything is corporate gray and beige.]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

From Mahmood Khalil to Rümeysa Öztürk, we are seeing more and more activists kidnapped by ICE simply because their anti-genocide stance goes against the orange fascist administration.

And while for now they are targeting immigrants, even those who are legally here, it would be naive of anyone to think that they won't go after the rest of us as well.

One way we can protect our identity, as well as protecting ourselves and our communities from disease is a COVID mask.

This is one of many reasons as to why any proposed mask ban must be protested against. Now more than ever, it is a danger to the people.

[IG: Collage. Background. Mix of blue greens. Rare hint of darker blue, light sky blue. Next layer. cutouts red roses, illustrations. Some flowers blend into blues. Some vivid red. Next layer. three rows. Each row has three watermelon slices. Green, yellow green, red, black. Next layer: model. Femme. brown sleeveless dress embroidered stripes. Around skirt horizontally, breast area diagonally, otherwise straight down. black hair slicked to side. sunflower in hair. stylish COVID mask. Browns, orange browns, light yellows, mid oranges with a variety of Damascus-style pattern. She wears fingerless gloves, match mask. left arm small off white purse, off white pearl chain. sunflower on flap. two small pins below flap. Palestinian flag, pride flag. small sunflower at shoulder. Behind model, illustration of three ice cubes (2 @ bottom, 1 @ top) with a red x over them. Bottom row of watermelons. Between 2 slices, upside down orange slice with red x over it. she has a speech bubble, bright yellow green, black outline. The text, black: “fight fascism and mask up”. between 2 watermelon slices, top row, hint of white square protest sign, black outline. black text: “stop the genocides” text is slightly cut off. main text, white, square font, black shadow behind: "protect your identity" [space] "protect your community" lower left hand corner, faded white "@ rebel wheels NYC" with no spaces]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

#Ableism is a form of #discrimination. It is the false idea that #disabled people are by default inferior. & like all forms of #oppression, sometimes it's social & sometimes it's systemic. We often hear "first they came for the socialists" but in truth, disabled people were one of the 1st groups to be rounded up & murdered. Nazis believed that disabled people are inferior & that is a false belief that many people need to unlearn to this day. In truth, #disability is just another way for a mind &/or body to be & ableism like all forms of #supremacy, must be unlearned & abolished. We're not tragic, better off dead & we're not here to inspire you. We are full-fledged human beings, a #marginalized community in our own right, that also exist within every other marginalized group. There is no collective #liberation nor #safety without us. For more tips: https://whatisableism.tumblr.com (a project from 2017 but still relevant) people & groups to follow so that you can take action: @disability_visibility @annieelainey @seemiaroll @crutches_and_spice @newdisabledsouth @disabilityculturelab @dredf1979 @disabilityjusticeproject @adawatchcdrj @covid_advocacy @cripcampfilm Feel free to include other people/groups to follow in the comments [IG: square graphic. Protest art. Vibrant orangey red background. On top is a collage of pink, red and white carnations. Also strips of tartan fabric, (red with blue and white stripes that crisscross). Under the flowers, but over the tartan plaid fabric pieces, are two thick horizontal stripes (one hot pink, one yellow orange) that are a bit diagonal, one is going upwards, one's going a bit down. The latter orange one is a bit more concealed. The text reads "ableism is a tool of fascism." The vibe of the font is kind of gritty, artsy, and punk. It's bright yellow with a black shadow. Below that, towards the lower portion of the graphic, in a black horizontal rectangle with yellow-orange text in a typewriter font, it reads "like all false ideas of supremacy, it must be unlearned & abolished." In the lower right-hand corner, is a very faded white text "@ rebel wheels NYC" (but no spaces)]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

As a disabled activist, I often say I'm disabled AF or "as fuck" as an expression of disability pride & liberation. But in these times I feel like AF should also stand for anti-fascist. On a side note, originally I wasn't going to go with bright neon colors, but just as I was about to work on the art piece, my brain remembered how much as a kid I used to love wearing neon-colored clothing. You have to be really proactive in finding joy in these times so I thought fuck it, let's make it neon. Inner child approved lol. [IG: art. Protest graphic. Background. neon green square. Over that is a hot pink and smaller square so the neon green becomes a thick border. Over that and somewhat in the middle is a bright yellow square. The text is artsy and each letter which varies in style has its own vertical black rectangle behind it. The letters are yellow and a medium orange. The text reads: Disabled AF as in proudly disabled AF as in anti-fascist. The largest text is disabled AF, probably disabled, anti-fascist. They are also centered. The lines as in and AF as in are much smaller and towards the right. The line as in has a horizontal red rectangle behind it that goes midway into the green background. The line AF as in has a neon icy blue horizontal rectangle that goes towards the left instead of the right. Lastly in the lower right hand corner and a very faded black and simple font is the text: @ rebel Wheels NYC but with no spaces and no capital letters. ]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

The Proposed New York State Mask Ban Is An Attack On Freedom, Safety and Marginalized Communities: A Letter to Gov. Hochul

12/24/24 Hello Governor Hochul,

Happy holidays to you and your family 

I am writing to you as a disabled and Jewish constituent regarding the proposed NY state mask ban. 

I am sure you know many people in NY (as well as the rest of the country) are immensely stressed out by the incoming Trump administration and the destruction that will ensue. People are experiencing a great amount of anxiety especially since there are plans to further attack marginalized communities including the disability community. 

And I have to say I was absolutely horrified to find out that my own state government is moving forward with a vote for the proposed mask ban bill. A bill that will also cause further stress and harm to many marginalized people, which is the opposite of what we need from our local government right now. 

JEWISH SAFETY I've heard it's being done in the name of Jewish safety, which I find to be such a perplexing statement. Does my local government believe that Jewish people cannot get COVID? I can assure you we can. Does my local government think that you cannot be disabled, immunocompromised, and Jewish ( & thus require the protection of a COVID mask?) We do. Does my local government not know that you can be Jewish and Black (among other intersections)? Considering that the language of the bill is quite vague and thus up to the police to interpret and enforce, this will only lead to further profiling, harassment, and even violence. This is not what safety looks like.

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: (edited down to fit on twitter) Background Lt mint green. Left. 3 horizontal stripes. blue white & pink. Top. Top of lg red flower cut out. Right. cream horizontal rectangle. 6 bullseye circles. dk blue medium blue LT pink red & red. Next layer. mint green rectangle. Centered to right. Background: LT yellow cream rectangle. floral & lemon illustrations. yellow orange green pink red blue & a dk blue. layered semi-transparent. right. med. vertical black stripe. next layer. Woman. med brown skin. Hair. Long. braids or thin locks. pink flowers & green leaves as hat. Shirt. Off shoulders. thick horizontal stripes. red orange green blue & black. On top blue & white flowers. artsy gold necklace. covid face mask matches shirt. yellow eyeshadow. golden glow around her. To right. text. Each word. rectangle behind. dk brown. font. modern. white: “the NY mask ban is vague & subjective leaving it up to the police to interpret enforce & abuse.” upper left corner. Vertical. “#NoNYMask Ban” lower right faded white “@RebelWheelsNYC”]

ISLAMOPHOBIA I am concerned for The Muslim community in New York who already I'm sure as you know experiences a great deal of Islamophobia. And while of course not all Muslim women cover up, a lot of them do and they get a lot of stigma for it. A stigma that is only going to get worse if a mask ban goes through considering it associates covering up your face as "deceitful" and criminal. 

LGBTQ+ I am concerned for the queer and transgender community who already deal with police violence and harassment. This will only make that worse.

COVID Not to mention it will only lead to more COVID cases. As much as we would all like for COVID to be over with, and believe me I wish it was, the truth is, it still exists. And even if your symptoms are mild, you can still get Long COVID which can cause a great deal of medical and financial strain on a person. Not to mention that, you can be asymptomatic and still pass it on to others. New York State doesn't need more COVID.

Our healthcare system is already overwhelmed and there are already massive delays in getting doctor appointments. The system doesn't need more people getting ill because the local government has made it illegal to protect themselves & others via COVID masks.

MASK STIGMA & HARASSMENT It will also lead to further stigma and harassment for those who wear a mask, which is already happening. We all saw it happened at the Nassau County Mask Ban hearing. And I know some people from Jews For Mask Rights who were mocked, harassed and discriminated against for wearing a COVID mask. I myself often experience men who think they're being so clever when they see me in a COVID mask and cough in my direction with the intention of intimidating me. This will only get worse if the mask ban goes through 

PROTESTS I also find it to be dangerous and disturbing that the mask ban would make covering up your face at a protest illegal. The people of New York especially marginalized communities will only face greater amounts of discrimination and oppression in the next four years, and they should not have to choose between protesting their own & other's oppression and protecting themselves and their community from COVID. But that's exactly what this mask ban is saying. 

CRIME As far as preventing crime, does my local government really think that a person who is that desperate to commit a crime is going to not commit the crime because it's illegal to cover up your face? If you're going to engage in criminal activity that you know is illegal, doing one more illegal act by covering up your face is not going to stop you.

WINTER Where does the mask ban end? It's currently winter as I'm sure you know in New York state and at times it's so cold that you have to cover up your face, even wearing a balaclava and scarf. But under the language of the mask ban, this is considered deceitful and a misdemeanor crime

FOUR PEOPLE TOGETHER IN PUBLIC WITH MASKS ON IS A CRIME? Every New Yorker should be able to go out in public and protect themselves from COVID. But the way the mask ban is written, if I were to meet up in public with three of my friends (or family members) and we're all wearing masks (which I would need them to do), that would be against the law. And not only could we get a fine, which I personally would have no way of paying since I am on a low and fixed income, but we could also get jail time because the bill makes it a misdemeanor crime b. Jail time for wearing a mask against COVID! 

[Protest collage. Background. zigzag rainbow pattern. Red orange yellow blue medium blue & repeat. roses faded & taking on the colors zigzag pattern. On top zigzags green, blue green, red Brown, Dusty pink. On top. colorful flowers. yellow red greens light yellow pink. On top. left. person. Gender. not obvious. brown hair. Up do. messy glam. Pink border. eye shadow: yellows , pinks, purples, white eyeliner. black fake eyelashes. brows thick, black. Vibe. artsy glam. hand gently touches face. white nails with glitter. green & black mesh fingerless glove. a covid mask. Glitter. sunflower & red rose. text bold modern thin: “I have asthma I don't have the luxury of not masking.” Below. rounded wider rectangle. Medium yellowish green. darker bluish green rectangle behind. a shadow. The text: “but with the New York mask ban I could be put in jail for protecting myself against covid” upper right hand corner. yellow“ #NoNYMaskBan . lower right hand corner. Faded white :” @RebelWheelsNYC”] IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE But lastly, what will happen to all the immunocompromised people (which exist within every marginalized group)? Sure, there's a "health exception" in the bill, but we all know that is not in effect unless the state has a pandemic status, which technically has ended. There would be no protection for us and if more and more cases of COVID happen in New York state, many disabled and immunocompromised New Yorkers who have no choice but to not leave their homes. How are people supposed to go to work? Is that what my government wants for people like me? 

IN CONCLUSION What New Yorkers need from our local goverment, especially those of us in marginalized communities, is protection not further oppression and attacks. And that's what this proposed mask ban bill is. And if our local government truly wants to reduce crime, then we need to address the root issues as to why crime happens in the first place, not look for some "quick fix" that will only cause more harm. 

I hope you will do what you can to stop this mask ban bill as it is not the answer to anything. 

Thank you for your time. I hope to hear a response from you. TAKE ACTION: https://covidadvocacyny.org/stopmaskbanny https://www.jewsformaskrights.com/ https://masktogetheramerica.org

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

KNOW YOUR FRUIT by rebelwheelsnyc [IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Horizontal rectangle protest graphic. The graphic is divided vertically into two sections. Each section has a bright yellow border around it. The left section has a hot pink background. The main image is a circle with a white fill and thick black border with a thick back no line going across. Within the circle on the white fill is an orange slice looking a little worn. The text in yellow down the diagonal line reads resist fascism as the orange slice is a symbol for the orange fascist. Below the circle and in the lower left hand corner is a pink square with a black border. It has a thumbs up symbol with the fist going towards the left. The text which is black to the right of a square reads leave no oppressed groups behind including the disability community. In between the two sections is a yellow rectangle with a black border It is located towards the lower center bottom. The text reads know your fruit and each word is on its own line. The right section has a minty green background. It too has a white circle with a thick black border being the main image. But there's no line going across this time. In the circle is a watermelon slice a simple for Palestinian resistance. The text above the watermelon slice reads never again - for all. Below the circle and towards the lower right hand corner there is a minty green square with a thumbs up with a fist facing the right. It has a black border. To the left of that square reads the text not in my name stop the genocide end the occupation. Lastly in a very faint and faded white in the upper right hand corner below the yellow border it reads @ rebel Wheels NYC but with no spaces ]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

the resistance needs you to leave no marginalized people behind including the disability community

[image description: rectangle with bright yellow border. Inside is a hot pink rectangle. There's a yellow circle with a line going across it with an upside down orange in it. Behind the orange, a white circle. As if to say no to this which represents the orange fascist. There is black bold text going across top of circle "resist!" Underneath in smaller font but also diagonal "fascism". Underneath are two lines 1/4 inch in width. One a light mint green & one a light aqua blue. text in the first line reads "leave no marginalized people behind". Second line "including disability community". Behind the yellow circle and slightly bleeding into the yellow border is a slightly diagonal off-kilter vertical red rectangle. Lastly in lower right-hand corner a dog wearing pink eyeglasses and a pink bow tie with a small black bowler hat. They look stressed out and are looking towards the left. a black speech bubble with white text that reads fuck fuck fuck fuck but resisting lower left hand corner @rebelwheelsnyc]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

made a new protest sign for my motorized wheelchair. people tend to gawk at the external side of the elevating leg rests the most, which is rude but also making it a prime spot for a protest sign. using ableism to my advantage I suppose... [IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS: 1: photo. motorized wheelchair. protest sign on external side of elevating legs rests. sigh description: horizontal rectangle. Thick white border. Within that a red rectangle with a horizontal pink triangle where the point is facing left. The pink triangle is a bit more than half the width of the graphic. The main text, modern white font except silent (yellow), genocide (green), fascism (green) each line has a black rectangle behind it that is horizontal. The text reads don't be silent in times of genocide & fascism. right of The text quote in times of genocide end quote there is a watermelon slice illustration a symbol of Palestinian liberation. & to the left of the lines genocide and fascism there is an image of an orange with a yellow circle & line going diagonally aka no orange as in no orange fascist Underneath the larger text, same font same style of white text with black rectangle behind it but in a smaller size it reads leave no oppressed groups behind including the disability community. 2: horizontal rectangle. Thick white border. Within that a red rectangle with a horizontal pink triangle where the point is facing left. The pink triangle is a bit more than half the width of the graphic. The main text, modern white font except silent (yellow), genocide (green), fascism (green) each line has a black rectangle behind it that is horizontal. The text reads don't be silent in times of genocide & fascism. right of The text quote in times of genocide end quote there is a watermelon slice illustration a symbol of Palestinian liberation. & to the left of the lines genocide and fascism there is an image of an orange with a yellow circle & line going diagonally aka no orange as in no orange fascist Underneath the larger text, same font same style of white text with black rectangle behind it but in a smaller size it reads leave no oppressed groups behind including the disability community.]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

The Influences Of Ableism in Veganism: A Disabled Vegan Perspective

by Michele Sommerstein

I don't know about you, but for me between the multiple genocides, the rise in COVID cases, the massive COVID denial, the related rise in mask bans, the elections, police violence, the rising threat of fascism, climate change, and so many other issues – for fuck's sake! it's a lot. And so lately, I've been feeling like while I am doing what I can to be part of the collective effort for justice, (for another world is possible), I can't only make protest art. My heart also needs lighter projects.

[image description: a collage. background is a field with a blue sky and white clouds and a field of rows of flowers of various colors. standing in the field is a silhouette of a pig that takes up most of the art. their shape is filled with a photo of from the universe (space) there is a human eye on them that slightly blends in with the space pattern. lastly behind them but towards the right is a pink cosmo flower with an orange center. as if the pig is smelling the flower. ] And so recently I've returned to making vegan content. But not some call for intersectionality, articles discussing inner-movement issues, kill counter references, and environmental stats, as I had done in the past. Just lighter. And perhaps because it has been a while since I have made vegan content, I found myself unexpectedly reflecting on the intersections of my disability and vegan identity. Before my disability identity-themed YouTube show (Rebelwheels NYC), I had a short-lived vegan cooking show called My Easily Amused Kitchen.

[image description: video thumbnail. a screenshot from the video taken in my apartment. a white wall and a purple couch behind me. text reads MEAK ep 1 creamy pea soup of vast fantasticness! my easily amused kitchen. there is olive oil being poured onto a bowl of peas. and I am pointing with my finger up sitting next to a penguin stuffed animal. I have glasses, a black shirt, and longer hair with bangs] And looking back on that time, I realize that I really wasn't being fully authentic in the videos. Of course, it was done in my motorized wheelchair and there was some of my quirky humor, but I remember I often downplayed any kind of physical fatigue even though that is part of my disability.

You see, between my animal rights activism at the time and the vegan content that I watched on YouTube, I was very much familiar with the protein myth. The false idea that if you go vegan, that you will by default, be physically weak due to not being able to get enough protein on a vegan diet. Often I saw other (physically able-bodied) vegans whether in person or via YouTube videos who were very intentional about presenting veganism as part of an energetic lifestyle in an attempt to counteract said misinformation.

And there are many professional athletes who are vegan. I personally knew a guy (not professional) who was vegan, who lifted weights and ran marathons with ease.

[image description: The background is a colorful collage of blue, yellow, and pink. The main text reads pity is not compassion! The vibe is artsy and punk. There is smaller text on top that reads spare us your pity we want our rights! And then towards the lower left-hand corner, it reads intersectional disability solidarity. Lastly underneath the word compassion is the phrase unlearn ableism.]

And then there was me, a disabled vegan, and not Paralympic disabled, disabled with low spoons (slang term for energy), disabled with health problems, disabled where muscle weakness is literally part of my disability. And now I can type that and say “represent” with a sense of disability pride, but back then it almost felt like it was a hindrance to the cause. And to be clear, no one ever said to me “hide parts of your disability for the movement.” It was just the way it was presented that made me feel like I should. And it wasn't just the impression I got from a lot of people in the vegan community. I could sneeze and an omnivore would say “Is that because you're vegan?” (as if they themselves never sneezed?)

As a result, I was very aware of how my disability was somewhat being linked to the protein myth. As if I wouldn't be disabled if I wasn't vegan. As if people aren't born with disabilities. As if disability and veganism were somehow incompatible.

[image description: white background. black typewriter font. "Ableism is... (a form of) discrimination. The false idea that disabled people are by default, inferior. When in truth disability is just another way for a mind and/or body to be." ] And so part of me felt that to show my truth was feeding into that weakened stereotype, thus hurting the movement and thus hurting the animals, which obviously as a vegan and animal rights activist, you don't want to do.

Looking back, it was also a lot of internalized ableism on my part, for I had yet to be aware that ableism was even a word, let alone working to unlearn it, and certainly had not yet found my groove and voice in my disability identity.

That said, I now see how essential it is to have a variety of vegan representation in all areas but in this case, ability and health.

And so, in the name of creating something lighter, and because it just so happened that I needed a new vegan cheese (long story), I filmed a taste test where I was un-apologetically me. Full throttle neurodivergent, processing delays, immensely honest, not downplaying when I was physically fatigued or in pain nor the fact that while there are many vegan cheeses out there, I could not try a lot of them, due to dietary intolerances and ingredient sensitivities.

[image description: tumblr has cropped the video thumbnail. the full thumbnail is as follows. Background gold glitter. Over that rainbow stripes. Purple blue green yellow orange red and dark red. To the left a photo of myself wearing a silence equals death with a watermelon pink triangle symbol on it holding up a piece of vegan cheese. I have oversized black cat eye eyeglasses and my rainbow flower crown hair band is pushing back my dark hair. Next to me is a collage of various vegan cheeses. And over that is the text in a bold black font "disabled and neurodivergent vegan taste test vegan cheese." Every line has a white rectangle behind it and behind that is a black rectangle shadow. In white text with a black rectangle behind it. "Not sponsored. Very honest."] And as a result of being authentic and sharing my truth, I'm starting to come across other disabled vegans like me, chronically ill vegans, neurodivergent vegans, etc. and it's lovely Many years ago, I wrote an article entitled Is Veganism Ableist? A Disabled Vegan Perspective. And in regard to the ideas of veganism, the answer remains no. However, I do think in the wanting and sometimes desperation to do all we can to save the animals (and to a certain degree, the planet as animal agriculture is one of the larger contributors to climate change), a lot of us took action to dispel the protein myth, and while in ways it was good, some of our actions had consequences that also caused harm. It is a reminder that when we take action to fight misinformation, we must make sure that we are also not punching down in the process (whether intentionally or not.) This is something that goes far beyond veganism. In the end, us vegans from marginalized communities must represent with as much realness as possible, not only so people know that vegans vary, but so other marginalized people who are perhaps 'vegan-curious', will know that they too are welcomed in the movement. After all, the animals need as many allies as they can get. (Author's Note: In the past, I have written articles using my birth name Michele Kaplan. However, in the past year, I have decided to use my mother's maiden name, and thus why this article is by Michele Sommerstein, while past articles are by Michele Kaplan. Same person. I didn't get married. This just felt right to me for personal reasons)

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

They say the proposed NY mask ban is about Jewish safety. What, do they think we can't get COVID? TAKE ACTION: https://www.jewsformaskrights.com/ https://covidadvocacyny.org/ http://masktogetheramerica.org/ [IMAGE DESCRIPTION: (edited to fit on twitter: Background. floral. Orange red pink yellow green blues purples. Next layer. woman. yellow eye shadow. red top. paint splatters. floral print. Red pink yellow purple white. sunflower pin. watermelon pin. short sleeve. purple hair. Covers left side of top. short bang. black cat eye glasses. sunflowers L & R corner. Matching covid mask. Red. paint splatter. Orange green pink purple white. Matching red beret. pink white orange green blue paint splatter. Modern pride flag pin & circular black pin. white text “Jews against mask bans” border around her. Fill. diagonal stripes. yellows blues greens. white unicorn. left. main text. right “They say the masked band is about Jewish safety. What, do they think we can't get COVID?” font: modern bold white. Each word black rectangle behind. word/rectangle slightly tilted. each text line. stripe behind. Yellow & yellow green. upper left hand corner “# No NY Mask Ban” black rectangle behind white font. Lower right. faded white “@ rebel Wheels NYC"]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

The proposed NY state mask ban bill would make it illegal to wear a mask in a "lawful assembly" How many people make a lawful assembly is weirdly undefined, BUT an unlawful one is 4. Thus we can assume that a lawful one is also 4 minus the "aggressive behavior" but it goes beyond publically hanging out with friends while masked. anytime there's a group of 4 masked people out in public, whether intentional or not would be illegal if the proposed mask ban went through. TAKE ACTION: https://covidadvocacyny.org/stopmaskbanny

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: (edited to fit on twitter) collage. Layered background. Rainbow colors. Various florals. 1/2 bullseye symbol on top. Next layer. artsy light skinned black woman. ginger dreadlocks looks at you. Sunflower clips & silver hair decor. arms raised behind head holding up hair. Yellow eyeshadow. deep red brown vest. floral decorations. Red orange green. Sunflower buttons. silver glitter shirt under. silver glitter collar with med sunflower. matching red brown covid mask. similar flowers to vest. Upper left small LGBTQ+ pride flag. Mask trim silver glitter. Text to right. 8 lines. "The NY state mask ban bill" "makes no damn sense" "if you're" "out, solo & masked?" "That's fine" "but add 3 masked friends" "& it's a crime" " # no NY mask ban" 1st 2 lines. Yellow modern font. Black rectangle behind. Line 3-7. Same font but black. Yellow rectangle behind. thin black border. + black rectangle behind as dimension / shadow. Last line same as line 1 & 2. Lower right hand corner. Faded white "@ rebel wheels NYC"]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

This art piece was made a day before the mask ban was approved in Nassau County. That said, we can still (and must) fight the proposed New York Statewide mask ban bill! https://covidadvocacyny.org/stopmaskbanny . You don't have to be in New York to fight this. "Health Exception, Cop's Discretion" There's a health exception in the proposed Nassau County mask ban bill, but cops can also require you to lower your mask as they see fit. What could go wrong? TAKE ACTION: @covidadvocacyny & @jews4maskrights

[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: (edited to fit on twitter) collage. Background. layered various florals. pinks reds & oranges. more faded on right. next layer. Left. glam queer person. fake fur leopard print coat draped off shoulders. bejeweled brooch silver & teal green. blue & purple button yellow green text: not all disabilities are visible. black thin strapped tank top. off the shoulder gold glitter top. black & green zigzag pattern small red flower finger-less glove. heart-shaped rainbow ring. Holding a rose. Shoulder length black hair behind one ear. red & pink flower with 2 pearl strands . black covid mask. thick wavy white lines. blue green glitter eye makeup. Looking @ militarized cops on right. “Nassau” is on cop's shoulder. queer person: “but the health exception” font. white & modern. each word black rectangle behind. Behind text. red with pink border ! & ?'s. cops: “lower your mask” “my discretion” in response to health exception. Lower right hand corner. faded white @ rebel Wheels NYC ]

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

Many marginalized groups already have the trauma & burden of police harassment and violence, and the proposed NY Mask Ban will only make that worse. #NoNYMaskBan Get Involved: https://covidadvocacyny.org/stopmaskbanny and https://www.jewsformaskrights.com

[rebelwheelssoapbox]

Jailed for wearing a COVID mask? Yes, that is literally what could happen if the NY Mask Ban goes through which would make "deceptive mask wearing" a class b misdemeanor. #NoNYMaskBan related: what is deceptive mask wearing? TAKE ACTION: https://covidadvocacyny.org/stopmaskbanny via @covidadvocacyny [IMAGE DESCRIPTION: (edited to fit on twitter) Protest collage. Background. zigzag rainbow pattern. Red orange yellow blue medium blue & repeat. roses faded & taking on the colors zigzag pattern. On top zigzags green, blue green, red Brown, Dusty pink. On top. colorful flowers. yellow red greens light yellow pink. On top. left. person. Gender. not obvious. brown hair. Up do. messy glam. Pink border. eye shadow: yellows , pinks, purples, white eyeliner. black fake eyelashes. brows thick, black. Vibe. artsy glam. hand gently touches face. white nails with glitter. green & black mesh fingerless glove. a covid mask. Glitter. sunflower & red rose. text bold modern thin: “I have asthma I don't have the luxury of not masking.” Below. rounded wider rectangle. Medium yellowish green. darker bluish green rectangle behind. a shadow. The text: “but with the New York mask ban I could be put in jail for protecting myself against covid” upper right hand corner. yellow“ #NoNYMaskBan . lower right hand corner. Faded white : ”@RebelWheelsNYC” ]