Gallaudet razes ‘tent city’ at gate

The protest over incoming Gallaudet University President Jane K. Fernandes became heated yesterday as school officials tried to reopen one of the gates that students had been blocking for more than two weeks and protesters tried to take over an administration building.

A large earth-mover scooped up tents that the protesters had set up near the Brentwood Road gate and the students’ belongings before it started to lift a fired-up grill which protesters had been using to stay warm. Metropolitan Police and the D.C. fire department were called.

Four students were injured during the confrontation.

Graduate student Brian Morrison, 23, of Fremont, Calif., said he was injuredwhen the steel gate was moved back and its wheels rolled over one of his toes.

“I was just standing there peacefully holding the gate with my arms and got injured doing so,” he told the Associated Press.

Others suffered bruises and their clothing was torn.

Trevor Baldwin, 20, a sophomore from Indiana said the situation happened “very, very fast.”

“They were throwing things at my tent … They were very physical,” he said, describing how officers pulled him off the metal gate.

Dexter Jones, 20, a sophomore from Florida, said he was standing next to a police car when an officer opened the door, bruising his leg and tearing his jeans.

“It became chaotic,” said freshman Sean Stone, 18, of Phoenix, adding that a truck backed up against him. “There was no warning. Now we feel we cannot trust the system.”

A D.C. police sergeant said authorities considered arresting some protesters.

Some injured students later met with lawyers.

“We definitely will pursue charges,” said Ryan Commerson, 30, a graduate student. “What happened this morning was appalling.”

Christopher Corrigan, 20, a junior who has been dubbed “mayor of tent city” at the Florida Avenue main entrance, said the students didn’t retaliate.

“We have proven this is not a safe environment,” he said.

Story Continues →