Freedom Quest Alton Rally ~ May 20, 2009

It was a warm and sunny afternoon when the Freedom Quest Southern Route Riders pulled into Impact Center for Independent Living for the Freedom Quest Alton Rally! Banners were waving, signs were displayed, and music played while the Freedom Quest participants greeted old friends and welcomed new ones.

The Rally moved inside for the program which included:

Cathy Contarino, Executive Director of Impact
Sarash Castle, Campaign for Real Choice/Freedom Quest '09 Planning Team
Lori F., self-advocate from Granite City
Margie W., self-advocate from Granite City
Beverly B., self-advocate from Alton
Barb W., self-advocate from Alton
Tom Hoechst, Mayor of Alton
Open Mic where self-advocates shared their stories of dreams and hope

Amy Walker, Illinois Voices Systems Change Activist/Freedom Quest '09 Planning Team member, led the participants in singing "We Are The Champions" by Queen as well as "We Will Rock You" by Queen with oringal lyrics by Amy:

WE WILL ROCK YOU!
Originally by Queen, with modified lyrics by Amy Walker

System, you are big, make a big noise, working in the state
Gonna make some big plans someday—
All that waiting list space—a big disgrace!
Making us wait all over the place.

Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!

System, you’re a big one, hard one, working in the state
Gonna make us comply someday—
All that institution space, a big disgrace,
Nine big warehouses all over the place!

Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!

System, you’re an old one, poor one,
Pleading with our eyes,
Will you give us some peace someday?
No community space, a big disgrace,
But we all have our voices, and we have a PLACE!

Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!

WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!

WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!

WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!