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Global deaf fury hits London British students join the global debate over heavy-handed US police treatment after more than a hundred students are arrested at a deaf institution, STEVE EMERY was on hand to witness the protest

The UK deaf community joined a worldwide show of support for over 130 deaf students who were arrested last week at an American university. British protestors staged a tent city in Central London, to join 65 around the world, they are furious with the appointment of a controversial college president for the world’s premier deaf university. The support was timed to coincide with the march of 4,000 people on Capitol Hill in Washington DCon Saturday, the culmination of months of campaigning by staff, students and alumni against the appointment of Jane Fernandes as the new president of Gallaudet University, Washington. The university is the very centre of the international deaf community. The campaign has spread around the globe after students at Gallaudet rejected the proposed new president. Last week police arrested 133 of 500 students camped on the university campus in protest. The tent city forced the university to be temporarily closed and has inspired sympathetic encampments to be errected around the world. Contrary to some reports, the campaign against the new president is not because Fernandes is ‘not deaf enough’. “This is a smokescreen fed to the media by Fernandes herself,” said Tent City UK’s Niall McCormack. Campaigners cite a reputedly rigged selection process, and concerns about Fernandes’ administrative capabilities. Widespread calls of concern requesting that Fernandes not be chosen were issued to the presidential search committee prior to the appointment. “We also want to show solidarity to our deaf brothers and sisters who have found themselves arrested for peaceful protest,” said student Tomato Lichy, “Fernandes has described this extensive peaceful protest as anarchy and terrorism. Such language is not only highly disrespectful of those in the world who are genuinely suffering the effects of terrorism, but also indicates the authoritarianism of her management style on the campus in the past 11 years.” Lichy stated, “Because Gallaudet University is the only deaf university in the world, its influence, and thus its leadership issues take on increased importance in representing the aspirations and the public image of deaf communities internationally.” Dr Paddy Ladd added: “In the USA this year, the presidents of nine mainstream universities, including Harvard, have either been fired or resigned as a result of staff-student concern. Deaf people should have the same right to high expectations of those who govern them, as hearing people do. 82% of Gallaudet’s academic staff voted for Fernandes’ removal, so basic principles of governance are at stake.” A letter calling for Fernandes’ resignation signed by many UK deaf leaders will be delivered to the US Embassy on Monday. It was addressed to Robert Holmes Tuttle, US Ambassador, the Gallaudet University’s Board of Trustees, and Fernandes herself.

TentCity UK photos! Finally!

Signing away – discussing the Gally situation!

Camping it up! Gally’s youngest protester explains the concepts of situational oppression and institutional denial of participication in the mechanics of decision making to her toy stuffed rabbit!

Our small art exhibition on the wall, with BBC See Hear filming someone in front of it! The art pieces and cartoons come from Gally protesters -  we’ll give a list of pieces displayed and web addresses in a later update.

Started raining so we put the cartoons under shelter.

TentCity UK Set Up Now!

5.45pm
Lots of Deaf Art pictures on display. Good numbers… (NMc)

5.30pm
Latest reports are that it’s going very well… many photos and more updates coming soon!

3.55pm
Now about 20 here. Met the no. target! Took loads of photos (NMc)

3.10pm
Good to see us gather and finally have the London tent city here. It gives us great sense of being linked with other tent cities. Wow! x x x (NMc)

3.05pm
BBC See Hear are there!

3.00pm
Two tents just have set up. Look good! You will get photos shortly x x x x (NMc)

2.45pm
… updates coming soon when possible! Go along if you’re in the area!

Announcing Tent City UK!

At Gallaudet University last Friday, 134 Deaf students were arrested!

What??? Over 100 YOUNG DEAF people were ARRESTED??

In the last few days, over 50 Tent Cities have been set up around the world to show support and sympathy for the 134 arrested deafies.

Now we are announcing TENT CITY UK!

What: A family friendly social event, with tents!

When:

Saturday 21st October, 2pm to 6pm

Where: Central London location, to be revealed here on Thursday evening or Friday!

Bring a tent or food or just yourself!

Family friendly day, bring the kids!

**************

Background information:

The arrests were ordered by the President of Gallaudet university, Irving King Jordan. They happened at night when the deaf students found it difficult to understand the interpreters. Jordan didn’t even stay around – he ordered the arrests then vanished.

People think he was trying to protect the woman, Jane Fernandes, who is supposed to replace him as the next president in a couple of months. He picked her, without asking students, staff or alumni (ex-students). She has already worked next to him for the past 6 years, and many people hate her.

In the biggest staff meetings ever seen at Gallaudet university, over 80% of staff voted to order Jane Fernandes to leave immediately. Her reaction was to go on the RADIO and threaten that Gallaudet will be damaged for many years if she leaves.

Note: Fernades is also deaf, the point is that she is incompetent, refuses to meet and discuss issues with people, cannot work together with other people, loves to make announcements on the radio, and was made new president without asking any of the staff or students.

She refuses to believe that arresting 134 Deaf students is a problem!

Please come and show your support for the 134 Deaf students arrested. Even if you feel that the UK has its own problems. When the Wolves 6 were arrested, many American deaf people sent messages of support, let’s do the same back for them.

Check this website www.TentCityUK.wordpress.com on Thursday evening or Friday for more info!

More background info at
www.ridorlive.com
www.elisawrites.com
www.mishkazena.wordpress.com

Very full but wordy background at:
www.surdus.blogspot.com

Collection of up-to-date posts at:
www.deafread.com