Gallaudet University Documentary:
October 28-30, 2006 (16 Videos)
OCTOBER 28, 2006
Dulles Hyatt Rally ( 5 min)
Upon arriving at Dulles Airport on Saturday afternoon, we quickly learned that the 3pm
rally at the Front Gate was actually a surprise for the protesters. A favorable one, that is.
The protesters, faculty, staff, and students alike, were bused from Gallaudet University to
the Hyatt hotel of Dulles Airport. We had stopped at a gas station to get directions to the
hotel, and to our surprise Frank Turk was there doing the same. Turk followed us to the hotel.
As it turned out, Turk was one of the rally's special guests. The second guest was Dr. Harry
Klopping, Superindent of California School of the Deaf - Fremont.
Interview: Ryan Commerson (2 min)
We were given 15 minutes to rally on Hyatt property. Police had secured an area on the street
bordering the hotel for the protesters to lead a peaceful candlelight vigil. On the way, we
conducted our first live interview. Ryan Commerson shares a few words with us.
Interview: Chris Corrigan (1 min)
Next, Chris Corrigan, an energetic mayor of the original Tent City, shares his insight on the protests.
Dulles Hyatt Candlelight Vigil (4 min)
At the candlelight vigil, we were reminded that this was a peaceful protest. We sat in silence
as prayer ensued. Approximately 100 people attended the Hyatt rally and candlelight vigil.
Front Gate at Night (1 min)
After setting up the streaming video servers, we stopped at the Front Gate at late hours. We ran into Tommy Bright Jr and
two other persons who were keeping watch at the Front Gate. Bright briely explains the latest. It was cold and windy.
OCTOBER 29, 2006
Interview: Elisa Abenchuchan (11 min)
Elisa Abenchuchan is well-known for her excellent front line reporting on Elisawrites.com. This
live interview took place at 2pm on Sunday. The recent Gallaudet University graduate answers the
questions eloquently.
Interview: Elizabeth Gillespie (9 min)
Another popular blog, Mishka Zena, was instrumental in informing the nation about the protest
happenings, although she was not on campus. She worked hard to gather information for her readers.
Also because she often used her blog alias, this live interview was a revelation of her identity for many,
both in name and face.
Sunday Rally (17 min)
In the fieldhouse (gym), we witnessed a number of presenters including Chris Corrigan, LaToya Plummer,
Donalda Ammons and others. Corrigan led the cheers. Plummer discussed what should happen pending the
Board of Trustees' decision. Ammons declared that if the Board of Trustees does not agree in the
protesters' favor, alumni would lock down 6th Street gate, effectively closing down the entire campus.
Several deaf community leaders pledged to be at the front line forming a human chain.
Celebration! (12 min)
Following the rally, we returned to our makeshift studio to interview Tawny Holmes and Ricky Taylor.
However, the news arrived. Watch as Holmes reads the e-mail sent by the Public Relations department
in excitement. Taylor cannot believe his eyes. We quickly move to the Front Gate where several
speakers called Fernandes' termination in celebration.
FSSA Interview (6 min)
The celebration moved to the Hotchkiss (football) field. There we interviewed six FSSA
representatives. They discuss a range of subjects: from how long and hard the struggle was
to their feelings of shock and exhiliration.
OCTOBER 30, 2006
Front Gate Press Conference (5 min)
The morning after the announcement, several student leaders and Jeff Lewis stood on the corner of
Florida Avenue to answer questions for the media. Deborah Chen explains the impact of American
Sign Language on deaf people's lives.
Interview: Ricky Taylor (8 min)
Because Ricky Taylor's interview was interrupted by the Board of Trustees' announcement, we met
on Monday morning for an interview. Taylor is the blogger of RidorLIVE. Many credit him as one
of the protest's cataylsts.
Interview: Ryan Commerson (12 min)
We had a follow-up interview with Commerson to capture his feelings about the decision, and
about what Gallaudet University's futue path should be.
Interview: Mercy Coogan (4 min)
Because the protesters felt that the Gallaudet University administration was spinning the issues
underlying the protest, we went to interview Mercy Coogan, who is the director of Public Relations
department at Gallaudet University. She turned out to be generous and kind. We get some of her
experiences working throughout the protest.
Tent City Mayor's Last Words (2 min)
Mayor Corrigan, of Gallaudet University's Tent City, shares his last words as he puts down his
tent. It's not the end of Tent City as it will always remain in our hearts and serve to fuel our
passion to fight for a better future for the deaf people.
Front Gate Re-Opening (1 min)
The Front Gate is re-opened symbolically in a ceremony. I had to run to catch our flight home before the ribbon was cut. The ceremony patiently waited until the hunger strikers arrived -- so they
would cut the ribbon in the official re-opening of Front Gate. What better way to start the healing
process.
Credits: Tayler Mayer, Dustin Williams, Bobby Cox, Sung Park
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