Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: Inspirational Message to Protesters

Students, Faculty, and Supporters:

You have gone far in your efforts. You have successfully caught the
media’s support, in spite of the university’s public relations
machine’s efforts to diverge attention from the real issue to
“vandalism, not deaf enough, and held hostage.”

Interviews with the students and the faculty have been excellent. The
public, although, might still be confused about the issues, but you
have stayed true to your beliefs. You have not wavered in making your
two demands.

Your supporters outside of the campus are constantly growing. Alumni
all over the country have set up tent cities to support you. The alumni
all over the country keep on talking about Gallaudet University like
never before through vlogs, through pagers, through videophone, and
rallies. Deaf people of colors are standing up, deaf people of various
backgrounds are standing up, and hearing allies are standing up.

Your perseverance in the struggle inspires me and many of us.

Unity for Gallaudet!

Bridgetta Bourne-Firl
California