Brad Lomax facts for kids

Bradley Lomax (born September 13, 1950 – died August 28, 1984) was an important member of the Black Panther Party. He was also a strong voice for disability rights. He helped lead a big protest called the 504 Sit-in in San Francisco.

Early Life and Challenges

Bradley Lomax was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1950. When he was 13, he first saw how people were treated differently because of their race. This happened during a visit to Alabama.

After high school, he planned to join the military. But in 1968, African American soldiers faced unfair treatment. So, he decided to go to Howard University instead.

That same year, Bradley was diagnosed with a health condition called multiple sclerosis. This condition made it hard for him to move around. He started using a wheelchair. He quickly noticed that many public buildings did not have ramps. This made it very difficult for people in wheelchairs to get inside.

Fighting for Change

Bradley Lomax was a dedicated activist. In 1969, he helped start the Washington chapter of the Black Panther Party. This group worked to help African American communities. He also helped organize a large protest in 1972 called African Liberation Day.

His own experiences made him want to fight for disability rights. In 1973, he moved to Oakland, California. He found it almost impossible to use public transportation. For example, to get on a bus, his brother had to carry him out of his wheelchair.

In 1975, Bradley reached out to Ed Roberts. Ed was a leader at the Berkeley Center for Independent Living (CIL). Bradley suggested they open a new center in East Oakland. This center would help people with disabilities. It would also work with the Black Panthers. The center operated for two years.

The 504 Sit-in

A very important moment in Bradley's activism was the 504 Sit-in in 1977. This protest happened at the San Francisco Federal Building. The protest was about a law called Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law was supposed to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. However, the government agency, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), was not putting the law into action.

Bradley encouraged the Black Panthers to help the protestors. They brought food and other supplies to those staying at the building. Bradley and about two dozen other protestors even traveled to Washington, D.C. They wanted to make sure the law was signed. On April 28, 1977, the HEW secretary finally signed the regulations. This was a big victory for disability rights.

Lasting Impact

Bradley Lomax passed away on August 28, 1984. He died in Sacramento, California, from problems related to multiple sclerosis.

Even after his death, Bradley's story continues to inspire. In 2020, he was featured in a documentary called Crip Camp. His life was also highlighted in The New York Times' "Overlooked" obituary series. His work helped make the world a more fair place for people with disabilities.