DPN-- Day 2: Monday, March 7, 1988

introduction

sun Mar 6

mon Mar 7

tue Mar 8

wed Mar 9

thu Mar 10

fri Mar 11

sat Mar 12

sun Mar 13

epilogue

The students and other protesters met throughout the night, discussing and debating what to do next. At about dawn on Monday, they drove several cars to each of the University's entrances and deflated their tires, blocking the way onto as well as off the campus. The students even prevented [photo of newspaper with headline: Deaf Students Boycott some administrators from walking onto the campus by forming a human chain, but most faculty and staff attempting to enter the campus were allowed to do so.

photo of sign saying: We won't give up until we have a deaf president Throughout the morning, the campus was alive with activity. In addition to impromptu speeches and rallies, protest leaders were meeting to formalize their demands. When Spilman and other Board members arrived for their meeting at noon, they were presented with the following:

Zinser must resign and a deaf president selected.

Spilman must resign from the Board.

The percentage of deaf members on the Board of Trustees must be increased to at least 51%.

There must be no reprisals against any of the protesters.

Representatives, including some students and faculty and staff, brought the demands to the Board in a meeting that lasted over three hours. At the conclusion of the meeting, [photo of Jane Spilman at podium Spilman told the group that the Board rejected the four demands and that the selection of Zinser stood.

Spilman and others then proceeded to the University's auditorium to make their announcements there. However, before she was able to get started, Harvey Goodstein, a deaf faculty member, walked out onto the stage in front of her and told everyone that the demands hadn't been met and that there was no use in staying. He then proceeded to encourage everyone to get up and walk out of the auditorium, which almost everyone did. The protesters then spontaneously marched to the U.S. Capitol Building, only photo of Bridgetta Bourne on the steps of the Capitol about a mile away, to listen to even more impassioned speeches of encouragement. By this time, the story was front page news in the local newspapers and on television stations. Dozens of reporters descended upon the University and, for the most part, found the protesters eager to talk to them. Sign language interpreters took to wearing colored arm bands so they would be easy to identify if a reporter wished to speak with a deaf person.

The day ended with both sides firmly entrenched in their opposing positions and with no quick resolution in sight.

[photo of Harvey Goodstein walking on stage] Harvey Goodstein walks onstage to inform everyone that the Board has not met their demands

Students gather at the U. S. Capitol [photo of large group of students at the U.S. Capitol]

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

home profiles issues impact views activities

This page is maintained by the
Gallaudet University Public Relations Office.
Send comments or suggestions to:
public.relations@gallaudet.edu
Last modified December 16, 1997