The UK deaf community joined a worldwide show of support for over 130 deaf students who were arrested last week at an American university. British protestors staged a tent city in Central London, to join 65 around the world, they are furious with the appointment of a controversial college president for the world's premier deaf university.

The support was timed to coincide with the march of 4,000 people on Capitol Hill in Washington DCon Saturday, the culmination of months of campaigning by staff, students and alumni against the appointment of Jane Fernandes as the new president of Gallaudet University, Washington. The university is the very centre of the international deaf community.

The campaign has spread around the globe after students at Gallaudet rejected the proposed new president. Last week police arrested 133 of 500 students camped on the university campus in protest. The tent city forced the university to be temporarily closed and has inspired sympathetic encampments to be errected around the world.

Contrary to some reports, the campaign against the new president is not because Fernandes is 'not deaf enough'. "This is a smokescreen fed to the media by Fernandes herself," said Tent City UK's Niall McCormack.

Campaigners cite a reputedly rigged selection process, and concerns about Fernandes' administrative capabilities. Widespread calls of concern requesting that Fernandes not be chosen were issued to the presidential search committee prior to the appointment.

"We also want to show solidarity to our deaf brothers and sisters who have found themselves arrested for peaceful protest," said student Tomato Lichy, "Fernandes has described this extensive peaceful protest as anarchy and terrorism. Such language is not only highly disrespectful of those in the world who are genuinely suffering the effects of terrorism, but also indicates the authoritarianism of her management style on the campus in the past 11 years."

Lichy stated, "Because Gallaudet University is the only deaf university in the world, its influence, and thus its leadership issues take on increased importance in representing the aspirations and the public image of deaf communities internationally."

Dr Paddy Ladd added: "In the USA this year, the presidents of nine mainstream universities, including Harvard, have either been fired or resigned as a result of staff-student concern. Deaf people should have the same right to high expectations of those who govern them, as hearing people do. 82% of Gallaudet's academic staff voted for Fernandes' removal, so basic principles of governance are at stake."

A letter calling for Fernandes' resignation signed by many UK deaf leaders will be delivered to the US Embassy on Monday. It was addressed to Robert Holmes Tuttle, US Ambassador, the Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees, and Fernandes herself.

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