Raiders fans with disabilities face park issues at Coliseum

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- For the past 21 years, Luke Crespan of El Cerrito has parked in the disabled lot closest to Gate B, giving him easy access to his seats. But at Sunday's game, he and others with handicapped placards who got there early, were told to park across the lot in the spots closest to Gate C.

The parking attendants told them those arriving early had to fill out those spots first.

"All of a sudden have us move because they want to park people the way they want to park us seems inconsiderate," said Crespan.

Going from Gate C to Gate B may not seem like a long way to walk, but for some of the people in Crespan's group - it's a hike.

"Some in our group have oxygen, they are handicapped, they park by where their seats are at," he said.

Iris Johnson is a Raiders fan. She says the new rules hurt people with disabilities.

"People have spent thousands of dollars for the love of the Raiders. Some are unhealthy and look how they are treated. I don't know who the new managed is, but I don't like them," she said.

The Raiders told ABC7 News that they have nothing to do with the parking lot. The Oakland Alameda County Joint Powers Authority manages the coliseum complex. AEG Facilities, which is in charge of daily operations, says because of the popularity of the Raiders, they're selling out, and in order to park everyone safely, they have to line up cars in order from one end of the lot to the other.

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