Monday, May 18, 2009

MSNBC covers weekend's protest of Psycho Donuts

Thanks to the Enough Room blog for alerting me to the MSNBC video, which he has posted to his blog. The blog also details the events at the protest last weekend.

F.U.S.E (Friends United to Support Equality) released this statement prior to its May 16-17 protest:

SAN JOSE, CA — The Friends United to Support Equality (F.U.S.E.) Coalition is organizing an informational picket outside of Psycho Donuts in Campbell this Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The picket is part of F.U.S.E.’s ongoing campaign to convince the owners of Psycho Donuts to change their business name, marketing practices and behaviors.

Psycho Donuts opened in March of this year using the theme of being a “light-hearted insane asylum.” They sell donuts called “Massive Head Trauma,” “Cereal Killer” and “Bi-Polar.” The shop also includes a padded cell where children can take photos wearing a straightjacket.

For over a month, F.U.S.E., which includes local disability organizations, consumers and community and mental health advocates, has been advocating for a change in the discriminatory aspects of Psycho Donuts. In addition, F.U.S.E. wants to educate the community about the stigma associated with mental illness and promote disability awareness.

“We want to send a loud and clear message to the owners of Psycho Donuts and to the leadership of the City of Campbell that this is wrong, reflects very poorly on the people and City of Campbell, and we will not stand for this kind of discrimination against people with disabilities in our community,” says Sarah Triano, F.U.S.E. Spokesperson.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC), a member of F.U.S.E., is a disability rights and advocacy organization that provides comprehensive services to individuals with any and all types of disabilities in Santa Clara County. For more information, go to http://www.svilc.org/.