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Toronto Tent City’s Rally In Support of FSSA Demands at Gallaudet University Protest

Over 100 Canadian Gallaudet Alumni Students and supporters gathered in Toronto Tent’s City at the Riverdale Park during cold but sunny weather. Representatives from Canadian and Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD and OCSD), Canadian and Ontario Association of the Deaf (CAD and OAD), Ontario Deaf Sports Association (ODSA), Silent Voice, ASL Services for Deaf Children in Ontario, Ontario Association of Sign Language Interpreters (OASLI), staff from The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS), staff (current and retired) from Provincial Schools for the Deaf, delivered their organizational support in their speeches to endorse the demands of Faculty, Staff, Students and Alumni coalition (FSSA) of Gallaudet University.

They carried placards, saying “Jane resigns now,” “JKF and IKJ: Get Out,” “Shame on JKF and IKJ,” “Audism-Free Zone,” “Legacy of IKJ Gone Now,” “Free Jailbirds Now,” “Social Justice Now,” “Board of Trustees Listens Now,” and other comments on the placards. A book entitled Gallaudet in Denial: Shame on IKJ and JKF by Board of Trustees displayed on Canadian Flag with signatures by Gallaudet Alumni Students with their year of class along with other supporter’s signatures. Dr. I.K. Jordan (IKJ) is the current president of Gallaudet University, and Dr. Jane K. Fernandes (JKF)  is the President-selected, to be the 9th President on January 1, 2007.

Bonnie Russell ‘98, Community Liaison with CONNECT program, questioned the supporters if Jane have the Deaf role model image that we want for Gallaudet? NO!!! We must stop the audism that we are getting from Board of Trustees and IKJ! She also emphasized the importance of supporting the protestors with donations through FSSA not the Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA) fund because the Gallaudet University under Jordan’s administration has taken control of the fund thus the money will not go to the protest directly. She also mentioned that she will be collecting some donations later on.

Gary Malkowski ’81, Deaf Parliamentarian, former MP for York East for NDP party, explained that Board of Trustees has failed to listen to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Deaf communities all over the world. We are here to send clear and strong message that we demand JKF to resign now. The Board of Trustees is a symbol of oppression and audism. Gallaudet students fought for Deaf President Now to get IKJ and now IKJ ordered the DC police to arrest Gallaudet students. Shame on IKJ! IKJ should be brought to justice to hold his responsibility for unnecessary arrests of innocent, peaceful and non violence, and democratic students. This is a crime! The legacy of IKJ is now gone! Even though we are in Canada, we can still support the cause and emphasized the importance of persistence. He also brought a book titled, “State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III by Bob Woodward.” And he translated it into “Gallaudet of Denial: Shame on IKJ and JKF by Board of Trustees.” He explained the irony found in many similarities between IKJ and Bush. He then talked about the demands that were laid out by the protesters, which led to further explanation of the 2 demands by Megan Youngs.

Megan Youngs ‘03, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Kenya, explained about the two demands by the FSSA and how the selection process of the final three candidates were flawed and fixed. She also added about how the prolonging the protest is damaging the Gallaudet University’s shining image as well the Deaf community’s image. IKJ and JKF’ reaction and approaches to the protest does not reflect the Deaf community very well, and we need to end that by putting pressure on IKJ, JKF and the Board of Trustees to have JKF RESIGN before we can heal and move ahead as a whole.

Chris Kenopic ‘91, former OAD and CAD president, explained about how Oppression doesn’t only happen at Gallaudet but also here in Ontario, and countrywide. Deaf principals and highly respected Deaf colleagues are powerless under administrators and colleagues who are hearing. We need to stop oppression. To end oppression, we must support Gallaudet and to get our demands met at Gallaudet and it will influence our chances of getting equal access and opportunity here in Ontario and Canada.

Heather Gibson ‘82, Advocate for the Deaf community, added about how sports at Gallaudet contributed to her personal growth and success down her road. Sports along with the cultural and political community at Gallaudet are one of the important aspects contributing to the leadership and self esteem development of many of Deaf leaders here in Canada.

Canada’s NDP leader Jack Layton made a powerful and inspiring speech in support the demands of FSSA at the Gallaudet University protest. He said there were lots of rallies and protests in Riverdale Park that have traditionally won for their rights and the Riverdale Park is the heart of social justice issues. Canada’s NDP issues its statement in support of the position of FSSA and Canadian Gallaudet Alumni students. Arresting peace and civic responsible Gallaudet University students, faculty, staff, and alumni, seeking for social justice issues are totally unacceptable. “This is a fundamental issue about social justice and democratic rights and ensures that Gallaudet University has a safe place and fair democratic process that craves the freedom of learning environment; without intimidation, audism, racism and favoritism.” Jack Layton signed his name on the Canadian Flag along with Gallaudet Alumni signatures and received the book entitled Gallaudet in Denial: Shame on IKJ and JKF by Board of Trustees.

Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD), Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD), Ontario Association of the Deaf (OAD), and Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (OCSD) wrote letters to IKJ, JKF, and the Board of Trustees requesting them to comply with the FSSA’s two demands. They also asked for fair treatment, respect with dignity and democratic agreement between FSSA and the administration. The supporters have donated over $600 in support of those students, staff, faculty and alumni, participating in the Gallaudet Protest at Gallaudet University campus. We signed with drums on Gallaudet Bison Song and we clapped and waved hands. We chanted and signed: UNITY FOR GALLAUDET; IKJ and JKF to Resign Now; Board of Trustees Listen Now; and Demands Board of Trustees to fire IKJ and JKF Now.

Many THANKS to Janice Drake ‘88 and Megan Youngs ‘03 for hosting the Toronto Tent City, Darren Holst ‘92 for being the Master of the Ceremonies and a fantastic BISON song, Linda Wall ’92 and BJ ’96 for videotaping the rally, Tim Mallach ’90, and many other alumni for taking the wonderful photographs of the rally. A few of media reporters such as Peter Reynolds of the Record Production came to file and take pictures of inspiring speeches and hand flying around on the Don Valley filled with a few tents, Gallaudet banners, and colorful trees overlooking the CN Tower.

Click here for group photo