The True Story Behind Being Heumann and the Longest Sit-In in U.S. History
The movie tells the story of Judy Heumann and a group of disability rights activist who staged a sit-in in San Francisco in 1977 to put pressure on the enforcement of legislation.
Judy Heumann, a disability rights activist, led the longest occupation of a federal building in U.S. history in 1977 to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This provision aimed to prevent discrimination against disabled individuals in public buildings, including schools, universities, hospitals, and government buildings.
Despite President Jimmy Carter's promise to enforce Section 504, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph Califano delayed the process. Heumann, along with other activists, staged the sit-in on April 5, 1977, at the San Francisco Health, Education, and Welfare federal building. The film Being Heumann, directed by Sian Heder, portrays this courageous act of activism, highlighting Heumann's indomitable spirit and determination in the face of discrimination.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
