Gallaudet classes set to resume Monday?

Gallaudet classes set to resume Monday
By LUBNA TAKRURI, Associated Press Writer
Saturday, October 14, 2006, 4:18 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Classes were scheduled to resume Monday at the nation’s
only liberal arts university for the deaf and hearing-impaired after
more than 100 demonstrators were arrested in a protest over its
incoming president.

Gallaudet University had been virtually shut down since Wednesday, when
students formed human chains at the gates into campus as they demanded
the resignation of Jane K. Fernandes, who was appointed in the spring
to succeed outgoing President I. King Jordan in January.

Those opposed to Fernandes’ presidency say she isn’t open to different
points of view and that the selection process did not reflect the
student body’s diversity.

Fernandes, however, has said some people do not consider her “deaf
enough” to be president – a characterization that some students have
rejected. Fernandes was born deaf but grew up speaking and did not
learn American Sign Language, the preferred method of communicating at
Gallaudet, until she was 23.

Students continued to block the campus’ main gate Saturday. A D.C.
police spokeswoman said 133 students were arrested Friday night after
ignoring university warnings not to block entrances to a school
buildings.

“We want to get this university back in business,” Gallaudet
spokeswoman Mercy Coogan said Saturday. “Dr. Jordan, more than
anything, didn’t want arrests to happen. Protesters themselves made
that decision.”

Those arrested went limp and were carried to a police van. The team of
officers making the arrests then repeated the process. After each
arrest, another protester took the empty place on the blockade line.

District of Columbia police took protesters to a holding center, where
they were offered a choice of paying a $50 fine or receiving a
citation, which requires a court appearance.

The protesters want the presidential search process reopened and a
promise that they will not face retaliation.

“Our goal is to not allow the university to reopen until our two
demands are met,” said LaToya Plummer, 25, a junior from Suitland, Md.

In an opinion piece published in The Washington Post on Saturday,
Fernandes wrote that while American Sign Language is fundamental to the
university, Gallaudet must work to include a broad spectrum of deaf
people.

“By welcoming and including the diverse spectrum of deaf people, by
respecting and appreciating our differences, we strengthen our core,”
she wrote.

___

Associated Press Writer Brian Westley contributed to this report.
___

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061014/ap_on_re_us/gallaudet_protest

Urgent: Money Needed

Hi everybody, there’s a serious shortage of money due to the bail outs
of our decidated protesters who were arrested last night. Not only that,
we’re low on food and supplies. There’s a frost advisory tonight so it
is a very dangerous position for our protesters to be exposed to the
cold and the damp.
We desperately need heaters, electric wires, heated tents, and
especially sleeping bags. We also need charcoals to keep our grills
going so we can be warm. We also need hot food such as soup, meat (to be
cooked on the grill), and hot drinks. I’m working right now in trying to
get the red cross and salvation army to come and help. Please contact
Jeanine Wiesblatt at bluesun@tmail.com . Remember, our survival depends
on you. Remember we’re fighting for you like soliders and heroes. We’ll
not give up!

The World Is Listening To Us!

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Rally At Six PM, Front Gate

Erin Moran
   12:44 pm (19 minutes ago)

Rally @ 6 tonight

Same place, front gate

Criminal Charges and Expulsions May Backfire

The university have been making threats since yesterday that any student practicing peaceful civil disobedience will be arrested. These students may be facing expulsions and possibly criminal charges.

These heavy-handed tactics may backfire on the university. There has been enough documentation of systematic violations of the students’ civil rights the last few weeks. These documentation may provide enough grounds for a class civil rights lawsuit. I am sure everybody wishes to avoid this possibility.

The university may want to explore other options to resolve this conflict.

Jordan SAC Name Sign Destroyed

To see the  picture:

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m267/douglasbaker/Damaged%20SAC%20Sign/ 

Confirmed:

Missing letters:

“I” (top half missing)

“K” (completely gone)

“I” (completely gone)

“N” (undamaged)

“G” (undamaged)

“J” (mostly gone)

“O” (top half gone)

“R” (undamaged)

“D” (top half gone)

“A” (undamaged)

“N” (right stem gone)

Alumni, We Need Your Presence On Campus

I’ve heard reports about the persistance of the DC police and DPS in breaking the human chains today and also that there may be some injuries today. Elisa heard the same thing, too (More Assaults This Morning?) We are not unable to verify them yet.

I’ve spoken with several protester leaders. They all are ok, but are in shock over last night arrests. I gave them a big cyber hug.

Please, anyone, who can take time off from work, do it now. Come and show your support.  They need your help with the human chains.

I plan to go there tomorrow.

Unity for Gallaudet!!

Where Is The BoT?

The protest is still continuing.  Gallaudet University was shut down the last several days.  135 students were arrested last night.  The media is covering the protest.  The world hears Gallaudet again.

Obviously Gallaudet is in the middle of a severe crisis. There is no resolution in sight.

Where is the BoT? Why are they still abandoning Gallaudet University in its time of need?

Jordan’s Concerns For Student Safety Unproven

“Please know that our students safety is and will be our first and foremost consideration
and why we have kept the police option only as our last resort.”  in a Gallaudet University press release.

If the safety of the students was the top priority, why did Jordan order the arrests to be taken at night?  The students’s ability to communicate effectively was compromised somewhat in the darkness. The spotlight aimed at them by the police interfered with their ability to follow the interpreters clearly.

One wonders why, with the long history of mistreatment of deaf people by both the DPS and DC Police Dept, the arrests were done at night instead waiting until early the next morning.

Jeff Rosen Urges No Reprisals For Protesters

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13TH.

At the moment, the events of last night will need to stand alone as a portrayal of the caliber and judgment of those involved. I’d like to say different, but what was done is done, and is now left to us to experience its ramifications over time.

In the aftermath, one grave concern is the possibility of reprisals against those who participated in the civil disobedience. When asked in a meeting earlier this week in an attempt to defuse the situation, mr. jordan would not make any commitments about not subjecting those demonstrating peacefully and civilly to administrative sanctions. As the below letter from the Administration’s enforcer indicates, this is a threat made explicit and based on last night, not beyond the realm of possibilities. We cannot allow the decapitation of a body of Gally folks solely because they were in the act of establishing a role in a needed dialogue. It is a honorable thing to expect that no reprisals will be taken against people who are negotiating in utmost sincerity and good faith issues of humanity. This was a principle fully respected in DPN, and must be the case this time around also.

We all must be fully involved in protecting the future of those who were advocating for our community.

ALL OF US, DO NOT LET GALLY SANCTION ANYONE.

Statement from Meloyde Batten-Mickens, Executive Director of Facilities and Chief of the Gallaudet University Department of Public Safety The Gallaudet University Department of Public Safety, assisted by our consultant and by the Metropolitan Police Department, will reopen the sixth street gate and roadway into campus. At this time, I ask the full cooperation of all students and others involved in the protest to immediately remove from the roadway all vehicles, tents, and other objects that impede the access to the university campus for students, staff, faculty, visitors, and emergency vehicles. I also ask that individuals themselves not block access through the gate or to the roadway around campus. These requests are not negotiable. This notice gives fair warning that any persons who interfere with the university’s steps to restore freedom of access to Kendall Green will be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution according to District of Columbia law, specifically, statute 22-1307. Staff and faculty may additionally be subject to administrative penalties in accordance with the applicable university personnel policies. Students may be subject to penalties within the student judicial processes, including possible dismissal from the university, if they break laws or violate the student code of conduct. The university has a duty to serve its students and the wider Deaf Community, and it will exercise its full legal authority as necessary to accomplish this goal.

I’m still feeling a bit beaten down, saddened and cold. I’m huddled with all of you, in unity for Gallaudet.

-Jeff