Members of the Board of Trustees;
Dr. Irving K. Jordan
Dr. Jane K. Fernandes
October 20, 2006
As the Gallaudet University campus crisis escalates due to disagreement and no confidence in the leadership of President-Designate Dr. Jane K. Fernandes, the situation is getting worse and growing with the number of protesters each day Dr. Fernandes remains stubborn to the idea of resignation. Takeovers of campus buildings and the entire 99 acres of the University by the students, the arrests of 133 protesters and worldwide outpouring of support seems to have unfazed Dr. Fernandes nor the Board of Trustees to see that the stakeholders of the University desire new leadership by way of the resignation of the President-select and re-opening the Presidential Search Process as well as no reprisals for those who choose to voice their disdain for the flawed process leading to the selection of a person the majority of us consider the inappropriate person to lead our University.
So, in an attempt to make you see that the crisis, is indeed very serious and escalating, the people of the Hunger Strike wish to convey the message that we have started starving ourselves, removing solid food from our daily diets and living on only fluids and will continue to do so until Dr. Fernandes resigns from her position as President-Designate. Let us assure you we are committed and dedicated to this cause, in which we forfeit our health and well-being for the sake of the University and the ongoing protests which have thus far not convinced the Board of Trustees to take action, namely, making decisions where it would appease the majority of stakeholders.
On the evening of the arrests, October 13, 2006, we have since remained without food and by the Florida Avenue gate among hundreds of protesters and we are interviewed by media daily. We continue our resolve to get your attention with our sacrifice and we inform you that we will NOT stop the Hunger Strike until Dr. Fernandes resigns. This is a very serious matter, as the hunger strike group continues to become more weaker and weaker as days go by but strengthened by our resolve that:
We are starving for quality education, we are starving for linguistic equality, we are starving for social justice, we are starving for a true president, we are starving for true diversity and we are starving for the process to be reopened.
Please demand the resignation for the President-Designate so the group that enforce the Hunger Strike can resume to be healthy and well, and keep in mind that we will not give up even if it might mean tragic consequences for those involved with the Hunger Strike.
We love Gallaudet so much, so much that we are willing to abandon our health and survival.
Regretfully yours,
David Simmons
Kenny Berrigan
Christine Roschaert
Alvaro Jimenez
Debbie Potts
Cheryl Small
Kat Roberts-Jarashow
John Lopez
3 Comments
October 22, 2006 at 11:36 am
Maybe we should all go on a hunger strike and THEN they will really realize how SERIOUS we are in our quest for the best interest of Gallaudet University.
October 23, 2006 at 9:58 am
HEY — to the hunger strikers out there … cease.
Literally, you guys are not helping the cause. There is not enough of you to bring in recognition. You’re just attracting unwanted attention – the protest is beginning to lose its cause because of you guys.
Bodies are needed. Energy is wanted. And able-minded people are most definitely important to this cause.
If there is one thing I know, JK will not resign if you guys decide to commit suicide by not eating. Hell, if someone approached her and told her to resign or they’d slit their wrists … that is just in the same proportion you guys are presenting yourselves.
Support the cause and cease the hunger strike.
October 28, 2006 at 9:05 pm
I second the motion. I wish there are some good fellows who will forward these words.
Hunger strikers should cease. You are not helping the cause. Stop listening to those who are *well fed* and who want you to die.
Cease NOW.
The cause needs energetic and able persons. Not dying persons.
In a modern society, hunger strikes go to nowhere, other than discredit the cause.
However, the organizers, -well fed-, will get away, while they were the first to put *YOU* in harms way. Not the school.
No one will resign and things will go as planned.
The school will simply blame the organizers for the death of the hunger strikers, for brainwashing them into their ill-actions.
Reading their open letters, one certainly wonder.
You are not helping yourself, nor the cause, nor your school
Please do *STOP*, if not for the cause, neither yourself, do it at least for your loved ones, for your family, for your friends who all deeply worried for you.
You can do a lot of goods, alive. Not dead.
Please do support the cause and cease the hunger strike.
*NOW*