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Untitled Document
Soapbox:
When demonstrations are not enough
On 7th July, more than 5000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square to ask the
government to recognise British Sign Language. After a peaceful demonstration,
protestors blocked streets causing traffic chaos in central London. Here Gavin
Lilley writes about the day and about what drives people to direct action.
Photographs by Chris Rich.
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British Sign Language (BSL) is a language native to this land and the
70,000 people who use it as a first or preferred language deserve as much
access to everyday aspects of life as English speakers/ hearing people
do.
The recognition of British Sign Language as the United Kingdom's fourth
official language would generate awareness and understanding within today's
society.
This is why The Federation of Deaf People have organised several BSL
Marches, where thousands of Deaf people meet together and march through
the streets of towns and cities over the United Kingdom.
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Hands in the air: Gavin, pictured with five of the 'Wolves Six'
on the plinth of Nelson's Column |
So far, we've had three national BSL marches in London, totalling 15,000 people
campaigning directly to the British Government.
March attendees have many views on the issue of BSL recognition. Some want
BSL to be accessible for hearing children at schools, so that they would learn
a new skill that would not only be useful for communicating with their Deaf
peers, but also for themselves. Sign language is a beneficial skill that can
be used to communicate with others through soundproof windows, from a distance,
underwater and for private conversations!
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Many want bilingual education for Deaf children - which means that Deaf
people learn BSL as well as written English; this system is not in operation,
nor is it included in the national curriculum.
Generally, most Deaf people insist on BSL recognition so that they can
live their lives without the problems of accessibility, the lives that
hearing people take for granted. BSL recognition would open up new areas
in life that Deaf people have not yet experienced.
The main point that we are trying to make is that we are not misfits
of society, we are not Deaf and stupid - we just have a different language.
I quote from King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University (University
for the Deaf and their peers in Washington D.C, USA)
"…Deaf people can do anything, but hear…"
The most recent BSL march was the third national march in London, held
on Saturday 7th July 2001. The march was attended by several thousand
people who met at the University of London Union in Malet Street, before
ending up at Trafalgar Square.
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The march was a great event, with Deaf people from all over the country. Samba
bands and whistles were used to gain attention from the bewildered commuters
of London, who had no idea that Deaf people were in fact, a community with its
own culture. I spotted people attempting to copy our signs, fingerspelling 'B.S.L'
with a smile on their faces. The march was beautiful, flanked by stewards in
fluorescent yellow bibs. The atmosphere was electrifying, with people in fancy
dress, brightly coloured banners held aloft, surrounded by a myriad of yellow
and blue balloons representing the colours of the Federation of Deaf People.
After the rally at Trafalgar Square, approximately five hundred people decided
that marches were not enough, and that years of oppression needed to come to
an end. They took part in direct action, which was planned by individual choice.
It was agreed that all demonstrations would be peaceful and non-violent, and
the main purpose was to get media attention to the issue of BSL recognition
and encourage growth of the Deaf community.
The access from Trafalgar Square into the Parliamentary road of Whitehall was
blocked for a good two hours, stopping quite a few buses and cars. In the centre
of it all, the samba band played away to all the activists jumping away, waving
their hands (which is 'Deaf applause') and blowing whistles non-stop until their
faces turned into a lovely purple.
Several police officers were called in to separate the activists
into groups. This did not work, as the groups used sign language to communicate
with each other and devise strategy plans. The police, under pressure with
the fact that they could not communicate with the majority of the activists,
sadly turned into an aggressive manner. Witnesses indicate that old people,
as well as children were roughly pushed into groups surrounded by towering
police officers. A wheelchair-using activist was injured and had to be admitted
to casualty.
It was scary, yet it was exciting. Deaf people had finally taken action
to express their views and let out their bottled-up anger from years of
oppression. Deaf people from all over the country were dancing together,
complete strangers from different parts of the country were hugging each
other and groups of people formed circles to engage in conversations. |
“It is sad that Deaf people have
to engage in direct action, some risking arrest and their careers just
to gain equality”
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There was a rumour going around that two Deaf people had been arrested. Sure
enough, there was one activist placed in a police van under charge of 'breach
of the peace' who was later freed without charge. He was welcomed back into
a local pub full of Deaf people, who bought him drinks and patted him on the
back. This was the unity of Deaf people at it's best, supporting each other
right until the end.
The action ended about three hours after the rally. It is sad to see that Deaf
people have to engage in direct action, some risking arrest and even their lives
and careers just to gain equality, and to ease their lives through the recognition
of British Sign Language.
The term 'Deaf', in this article is used with a capital 'D' which define
these who hold with pride their deafness, their Deaf identity and consider
themselves part of the Deaf community.
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