Brad Lomax

Lomax, a Black Panther Party member with multiple sclerosis, is the link that made the 504 sit-in hold. Through him the Panthers brought hot meals to the occupiers every day, and he and his attendant travelled with the protesters' delegation to Washington to press the case in person. Lomax had already pushed the Panthers to back independent living and helped set up an Oakland branch of the Center for Independent Living, a reminder that disability rights and Black liberation were connected movements.