Ten years ago, thousands of protesters poured onto the Capitol grounds for a day of speeches, lobbying, and demonstrations in support of a deaf University president. On March 11, 1998, a new group of students traveled the historic route in celebration of the Deaf President Now march.

DPN student leaders Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, and Greg Hlibok give the rally a "thumbs up."

If the rally and march served as a reminder of Deaf President Now, it also recalled the need for a continued activism that many called "Deaf People Now." New concerns about the funding of deaf education and captioning were on the minds of many. Along with students from many state schools was a group from the Nebraska School for the Deaf, scheduled to close this summer.

"If the Nebraska School for the Deaf closes, other schools in other states will follow," warned Linsay Darnall, Jr., a Nebraska graduate who chaired the SBG-hosted event, which included ASL poetry signed by Gallaudet students.

Winding their way down the two-mile route behind a Civil Rights banner proclaiming "We Still Have A Dream," the marchers--including many alumni, staff, and their family members--braved the freezing cold all the way to the Capitol's west entrance, where the red, green, gold, and blue flags of DPN were once again in prominent view. Several children, many of whom had not yet been born when DPN happened, took turns as flagbearers, a reminder of DPN's legacy. Many marchers carried signs with their organizations, schools or states listed.

Ten years after DPN, the Civil Rights banner "We Still Have A Dream" continues to inspire hope for the future.

Kappa Gamma fraternity brothers pose with President Jordan and the flags they made for DPN 10. Left to right: Stu Ikeda, Jim Adams, Dr. Jordan, Paul Stone, and Karl Ewan.

"Today the air is cold, but there is warm spirit here," said Greg Hlibok, one of the four student leaders who led the 1988 protest. His appearance drew waving applause from the mostly-student crowd. "We, the deaf community, have power--you know that. You have power. I want to see you rise up."

While championing the progress of the last 10 years, many at the Capitol were also there to protest recent cuts in funding for deaf residential school programs and a Department of Education initiative calling for reduced closed-caption funding. "You have a good life," said student leader Tim Rarus. "You can make it even better."

A group of enthusiastic marchers carries the DPN 10 banner on its two-mile trek to the U.S. Capitol.

Those making addresses at the Capitol rally included a number of prominent politicians, among them Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and John McCain (R-Ariz.). McCain, who is also a congressional trustee, drew cheers when he called Jordan "a wonderful president" and praised Gallaudet.

"Never give up," said Harkin, who signed the beginning of his speech, "America needs you."

Also speaking were disability activist Justin Dart, National Association of the Deaf Executive Director Nancy Bloch; Gallaudet's other congressional trustees, Reps. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) and David Bonior (D-Mich); and Maryland congressional representatives Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Connie Morella (R-Md). Disability activist Justin Dart, president of Justice for All, signs "I-L-Y" to rally participants.

Representative Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and President Jordan celebrate at the Capitol during the March 11 march and rally. Marchers of all ages made the trek through Washington DC neighborhoods; Stacey Pederson's daughter gets a wagon ride to the Capitol.