More Information on Manager and AGB Protesters
It was Brianna and me who the manager snatched it from while we were
passing it out right near the curb. She was behind us and grabbed the
flyer from Brianna as I turned then she grabbed it from me. It was only
a few pieces of paper. It scared Brianna for a moment and I was so mad
at that bithcy mamanger for startling us. Imagine her picking on my
little girl!
Feel free to post this as update in your recent blog.
Barbara (Barb DiGi)
Commentary: I must admit even I, as a protest veteran, am shocked at the handling of the protesters by the hotel manager. Ripping flyers from their hands and physically contacting the documentary person? I’ve participated in many protests attended by white and hearing peaceful protesters. I’ve not encountered this disrespectful behavior in these protests. Is it because these protesters are Deaf and using sign language? I think so. This is absolutely unacceptable and inexcusable. Elizabeth
P.S. I’m still thinking about the altercation between the manager and the protesters and it’s making me livid. I’ve seen this behavior last fall during Gallaudet Protest and now I have no doubt. Hearing people do treat Deaf protesters without respect and this is so wrong.    I hope this is captured on film because this needs to be shown to the public.
Doing this to an adorable and sweet eight year old girl, scaring her to death???
We need to contact Marriott Hotel Corporation and tell them loud and clear the conduct of the hotel personnel is unacceptable and outrageous! Elizabeth
Previous updates today from the protesters:
Â
From Mark, an AGB Protester
Hi all,
I’m simultaneously scratching my head and feeling somewhat honored.
I took my two kids up to the exhibit booths. My kids are age 8 and 5 and
they found some of the stuff on display really cool (free pens and
stuff).
As for me, I was curious to see the materials and the overall message
AGBAD is trying to promote. I was also trying to see if there was
anything remotely close to a middle ground where I could establish a
dialogue with anyone.
Next thing I know, a burly security guard comes in and asks me to leave.
I said I was just browsing with my kids. He mumbled and motioned I had
to leave. I indicated to him that I was deaf. He kept mumbling and
pointed “out, out, out.”
I didn’t want this to escalate so I motioned for my kids to leave with
me. The guard kept mumbling so I repeated I was deaf and asked him to to
write down what he was saying. At this point he started talking on his
phone. I said this was discrimination and he continued ignoring me and
babbling into his phone. As I left on the down escalator, I passed the
Marriot manager and I told her point blank “This is discrimination. My
kids and I just wanted some brochures we got kicked out because I’m
deaf.” She just glared at me.
By this point my kids were visibly shaken so I shut up 
I’m disappointed, upset, disgusted… yet at the same time PROUD to be
able to say I was there and I want to thank John Egbert and the DBC for
making history. March on!
Mark Drolsbaugh
Â
AGB PROTEST UPDATE #5
Drolz (Mark Drolsbagh) just got BOOTED! For just wanting to visit the
AGBAD booth. Security quickly blocked him from entering the booth
area. Drolz tried his best to explain that he just wanted to visit the
booth. No siree.
All morning, protest participants have been visiting the booths and
collected pamphlets (they’re all propaganda. We’ll blog/vlog abt
these. Just more stuff about TALK TALK TALK). Now they’re expressly
denying ANY and ALL Deaf people from simply visiting booths.
Another thought to ponder: would AGBAD/Marriott ban other minority
groups from innocently visiting BOOTHS??
Anyway, John Egbert met with the police and Jenny, the violently
aggressive Marriott manager, and hashed out the following agreements;
-no filming inside the hotel
-no pamplet leafing except for the sidewalks bordering Marriott
-snapping pictures within “bounds”
So, now we all are wearing t-shirts, which we didn’t all morning. It’s
almost 3 PM, the end of today’s conv.
Will edit video footage, especially the Marriott manager’s abuse of
Raychelle & us, tonight.
Tomorrow’s another and BETTER day. Come one, come all! (Approx 25
protestors today. Thank you SO much for coming!) We are growing, and
more will come tmw. Hundreds more next year (Milwaukee, Wisc conv),
thousands more two yrs from now. We are here to stay, and we will be
HEARD.
For all Deaf children and their parents. Parents deserve to hear the
truth and have a great relationship w/ their Deaf children.
Now we are off to debrief, edit videos, etc. Thank you, those who
couldn’t come here today but supported us in spirit, financially, etc.
For all Deaf children and their parents. A new era began today.
°DE
——-
Â
AGB PROTEST UPDATE #4
We are a bit shaken after an alteraction initated by Marriott.
Just a few minutes ago the ABGAD conv attendees went out for lunch, so
we walked out and distributed flyers. The Marriott manager furiously
attacked us (yes!) by grabbing our flyers and RIPPING them!! She even
struggled w/ some of us who held onto the flyers. Fortunately, we did
manage to get some flyers out to some conv attendees outside.
The manager (will get her name later on) kept yelling at us and she just
called the police on us. She kept insisting that we cannot distribute
flyers outside (a change from earlier when she told us we could
distribute outside). She told us we have to go across the street,
citing Marriott’s “ownership” of the sidewalk in front. She also
physically attempted to touch Aidan Mack, who was filming the whole
thing. (Will post tonight).
We remained calm, even though we were very intimidated and scared. We
are still reeling from that experience. Again, we remained calm, and
non-aggressive. All the threatening, intimidation, and violence came
from the Marriott manager.
We wonder if we were hearing, would the Marriott manager still
physically struggle w/ us, grab our property and rip ‘em?
John Egbert spoke w/ the manager, and she kept coming up w/ “rules”.
So, we are waiting for the police to come and we’ll go into talks. We
know our rights. (We need legal advice- can someone send a Deaf lawyer
our way?)
The good news- more and more Deaf are here.
Please stand by and send us good energies. If we get arrested, PLEASE
have bail $$$ ready.
FOR DEAF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS!
°DE
AGB PROTEST UPDATE #3
It ain’t 12 noon and already a lot has happened.
Ok, we arrived at the lobby and already AGB conv attendees AND Marriott
staff knew everything, our names, even where we are from, our jobs,
etc! Marriott told John Egbert that they’ve already read ALL blogs- we
suspect AGBAD “warned” them in advance.
Sitting down in the lobby, we started handing out the flyers to
convention attendees (who happen to be well-dressed white women- haven’t
seen any men or minorities so far!), some were overtly hostile to us (a
few even made faces at us), some refused to take our flyer, some grabbed
hard, and some signed, “No thank you” or “I already got one”. All conv
attendees wore badges w/ the word, “TALK” in BIG and prominent font.
One brilliant tactic- Barb DiGi’s adorable 8-yr-old daughter, Brianna,
handed out flyers and faced zero resistance. Who could be rude to a
child? Two Marriott workers even approached Brianna and expressed
their support of Brianna’s t-shirt!
Some of us, along w/ camcorders, went up to the 2nd floor where the
workshops are. Right there at the elevator, security guards approached
us and prevented us from visiting even the booths. John Egbert informed
them that he IS a member of AGBAD.
The security guards proceeded to lay down “rules” on us- no flyer hand
outs, only can talk w/ conv attendees vocally, no soliciting, etc. Barb
DiGi pointed out that we don’t talk, and that flyers are our way of
communicating w/ AGBAD. Nonetheless, the guards told us we were
prohibited from the 2nd floor, where the conv was.
Upon returning to the lobby, a few of us started filming, but the guards
approached us and forbade us from filming, despite another group (not
related) earlier had filmed inside. John pointed out discrimination.
Then Marriott gave us a sheet which is actually for filming industry, as
if we were making money off this. Duh huh…
At this point, we are laying low- until we hear more from Marriott
regarding filming. We are in the lobby chatting, strategizing, etc.
Interesting morning… What’s w/ the fear and hostility towards us? Why
not engage into meaningful dialogue w/ us? And I emphasize that all
morning we have been friendly, courteous, and even smiled when we were
rudely turned down (flyer distribution).
We are here and will NOT be ignored or manipulated into silence. Deaf
babies and their parents NEED us!
It was Brianna and me who the manager snatched it from while we were
passing it out right near the curb. She was behind us and grabbed the
flyer from Brianna as I turned then she grabbed it from me. It was only
a few pieces of paper. It scared Brianna for a moment and I was so mad
at that bithcy mamanger for startling us. Imagine her picking on my
little girl!
Feel free to post this as update in your recent blog.
Barbara (Barb DiGi)
Commentary: I must admit even I, as a protest veteran, am shocked at the handling of the protesters by the hotel manager. Ripping flyers from their hands and physically contacting the documentary person? I’ve participated in many protests attended by white and hearing peaceful protesters. I’ve not encountered this disrespectful behavior in these protests. Is it because these protesters are Deaf and using sign language? I think so. This is absolutely unacceptable and inexcusable. Elizabeth
P.S. I’m still thinking about the altercation between the manager and the protesters and it’s making me livid. I’ve seen this behavior last fall during Gallaudet Protest and now I have no doubt. Hearing people do treat Deaf protesters without respect and this is so wrong.    I hope this is captured on film because this needs to be shown to the public.
Doing this to an adorable and sweet eight year old girl, scaring her to death???
We need to contact Marriott Hotel Corporation and tell them loud and clear the conduct of the hotel personnel is unacceptable and outrageous! Elizabeth
Previous updates today from the protesters:
Â
From Mark, an AGB Protester
Hi all,
I’m simultaneously scratching my head and feeling somewhat honored.
I took my two kids up to the exhibit booths. My kids are age 8 and 5 and
they found some of the stuff on display really cool (free pens and
stuff).
As for me, I was curious to see the materials and the overall message
AGBAD is trying to promote. I was also trying to see if there was
anything remotely close to a middle ground where I could establish a
dialogue with anyone.
Next thing I know, a burly security guard comes in and asks me to leave.
I said I was just browsing with my kids. He mumbled and motioned I had
to leave. I indicated to him that I was deaf. He kept mumbling and
pointed “out, out, out.”
I didn’t want this to escalate so I motioned for my kids to leave with
me. The guard kept mumbling so I repeated I was deaf and asked him to to
write down what he was saying. At this point he started talking on his
phone. I said this was discrimination and he continued ignoring me and
babbling into his phone. As I left on the down escalator, I passed the
Marriot manager and I told her point blank “This is discrimination. My
kids and I just wanted some brochures we got kicked out because I’m
deaf.” She just glared at me.
By this point my kids were visibly shaken so I shut up
I’m disappointed, upset, disgusted… yet at the same time PROUD to be
able to say I was there and I want to thank John Egbert and the DBC for
making history. March on!
Mark Drolsbaugh
Â
AGB PROTEST UPDATE #5
Drolz (Mark Drolsbagh) just got BOOTED! For just wanting to visit the
AGBAD booth. Security quickly blocked him from entering the booth
area. Drolz tried his best to explain that he just wanted to visit the
booth. No siree.
All morning, protest participants have been visiting the booths and
collected pamphlets (they’re all propaganda. We’ll blog/vlog abt
these. Just more stuff about TALK TALK TALK). Now they’re expressly
denying ANY and ALL Deaf people from simply visiting booths.
Another thought to ponder: would AGBAD/Marriott ban other minority
groups from innocently visiting BOOTHS??
Anyway, John Egbert met with the police and Jenny, the violently
aggressive Marriott manager, and hashed out the following agreements;
-no filming inside the hotel
-no pamplet leafing except for the sidewalks bordering Marriott
-snapping pictures within “bounds”
So, now we all are wearing t-shirts, which we didn’t all morning. It’s
almost 3 PM, the end of today’s conv.
Will edit video footage, especially the Marriott manager’s abuse of
Raychelle & us, tonight.
Tomorrow’s another and BETTER day. Come one, come all! (Approx 25
protestors today. Thank you SO much for coming!) We are growing, and
more will come tmw. Hundreds more next year (Milwaukee, Wisc conv),
thousands more two yrs from now. We are here to stay, and we will be
HEARD.
For all Deaf children and their parents. Parents deserve to hear the
truth and have a great relationship w/ their Deaf children.
Now we are off to debrief, edit videos, etc. Thank you, those who
couldn’t come here today but supported us in spirit, financially, etc.
For all Deaf children and their parents. A new era began today.
°DE
——-
Â
AGB PROTEST UPDATE #4
We are a bit shaken after an alteraction initated by Marriott.
Just a few minutes ago the ABGAD conv attendees went out for lunch, so
we walked out and distributed flyers. The Marriott manager furiously
attacked us (yes!) by grabbing our flyers and RIPPING them!! She even
struggled w/ some of us who held onto the flyers. Fortunately, we did
manage to get some flyers out to some conv attendees outside.
The manager (will get her name later on) kept yelling at us and she just
called the police on us. She kept insisting that we cannot distribute
flyers outside (a change from earlier when she told us we could
distribute outside). She told us we have to go across the street,
citing Marriott’s “ownership” of the sidewalk in front. She also
physically attempted to touch Aidan Mack, who was filming the whole
thing. (Will post tonight).
We remained calm, even though we were very intimidated and scared. We
are still reeling from that experience. Again, we remained calm, and
non-aggressive. All the threatening, intimidation, and violence came
from the Marriott manager.
We wonder if we were hearing, would the Marriott manager still
physically struggle w/ us, grab our property and rip ‘em?
John Egbert spoke w/ the manager, and she kept coming up w/ “rules”.
So, we are waiting for the police to come and we’ll go into talks. We
know our rights. (We need legal advice- can someone send a Deaf lawyer
our way?)
The good news- more and more Deaf are here.
Please stand by and send us good energies. If we get arrested, PLEASE
have bail $$$ ready.
FOR DEAF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS!
°DE
AGB PROTEST UPDATE #3
It ain’t 12 noon and already a lot has happened.
Ok, we arrived at the lobby and already AGB conv attendees AND Marriott
staff knew everything, our names, even where we are from, our jobs,
etc! Marriott told John Egbert that they’ve already read ALL blogs- we
suspect AGBAD “warned” them in advance.
Sitting down in the lobby, we started handing out the flyers to
convention attendees (who happen to be well-dressed white women- haven’t
seen any men or minorities so far!), some were overtly hostile to us (a
few even made faces at us), some refused to take our flyer, some grabbed
hard, and some signed, “No thank you” or “I already got one”. All conv
attendees wore badges w/ the word, “TALK” in BIG and prominent font.
One brilliant tactic- Barb DiGi’s adorable 8-yr-old daughter, Brianna,
handed out flyers and faced zero resistance. Who could be rude to a
child? Two Marriott workers even approached Brianna and expressed
their support of Brianna’s t-shirt!
Some of us, along w/ camcorders, went up to the 2nd floor where the
workshops are. Right there at the elevator, security guards approached
us and prevented us from visiting even the booths. John Egbert informed
them that he IS a member of AGBAD.
The security guards proceeded to lay down “rules” on us- no flyer hand
outs, only can talk w/ conv attendees vocally, no soliciting, etc. Barb
DiGi pointed out that we don’t talk, and that flyers are our way of
communicating w/ AGBAD. Nonetheless, the guards told us we were
prohibited from the 2nd floor, where the conv was.
Upon returning to the lobby, a few of us started filming, but the guards
approached us and forbade us from filming, despite another group (not
related) earlier had filmed inside. John pointed out discrimination.
Then Marriott gave us a sheet which is actually for filming industry, as
if we were making money off this. Duh huh…
At this point, we are laying low- until we hear more from Marriott
regarding filming. We are in the lobby chatting, strategizing, etc.
Interesting morning… What’s w/ the fear and hostility towards us? Why
not engage into meaningful dialogue w/ us? And I emphasize that all
morning we have been friendly, courteous, and even smiled when we were
rudely turned down (flyer distribution).
We are here and will NOT be ignored or manipulated into silence. Deaf
babies and their parents NEED us!
July 27th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
wow …
July 27th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
And here the Manager takes it from Brianna? What role model is she (the manager) showing? TERRIBLE and so AGAINST us Deaf. Where’s her moral respect for the Deaf (US)??? Unbelievable – IMMATURE.
July 27th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Oh that was Barb and Brianna, whew. I’ll be pissed off of my child was startled. Not appropiate since it is a non-violent activity. I suspect too that deafness seems to allow some people moral grounds for some hostility. No way! Hands off! People hand out flyers all the time, best non-violent tactic and a right to do so. Sidewalk most likely belong to the city, not hotel too. Also, manager almost touch Aidan, she’s crazy to try that too. Looking forward to videos later.
July 27th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Why not contact Bill Marroitt, the founder of hotel clains, to fire her for doing this.
July 27th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
The behavior of the hotel employees appears to be worsening. Completely distressing and unacceptable, and more so because it can only happen on orders from AGBAD.
Protesters, get your organizers to meet with AGBAD and express your strongest opinion of this treatment and that you intend to go to the media to bring up the issues, including the shabby treatment given.
Only deal with the AGBAD, not hotel employees. Ask them to instruct the hotel to be more professional, just as you would treat the AGBAD in an equally professional manner.
Demand equal standing and equal communication rights, no less.
July 27th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I wonder what scary stories AGBell feeds the hotel personnel about Deaf people coming to protest that obviously resulted in the manager’s unbelievable behavior?
July 27th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
deleted due to profanity. Profanity isn’t permitted in the comment section
July 27th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Ella -
You hit the spot! I wondered what AGBell told Marriott about the protestors. It is very typical for AGBell to put fear into many people about sign language people. It is time to stop this kind of fear and oppression!
We shall be SEEN and HEARD!
July 27th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Of course, obviously, Ella, AG Bell ALREADY read this Deafread and then feed the Marriott management.
So what? AG Bell organization are getting scarier and scarier……
But we are the ASL warriors and fighters.
We are in the war until we prevail.
White Ghost
July 27th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Snatching from an 8-year-old Brianna.
So surrealistique!
July 27th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
there is general photographers bill of rights.
I see you’ve gotten in some agreement over “-snapping pictures within “bounds—
The General Rule
The general rule in the United States
is that anyone may take photographs
of whatever they want when they are
in a public place or places where they
have permission to take photographs.
Absent a specific legal prohibition
such as a statute or ordinance, you are
legally entitled to take photographs.
Examples of places that are traditionally
considered public are streets,
sidewalks, and public parks.
Property owners may legally prohibit
photography on their premises
but have no right to prohibit others
from photographing their property
from other locations. Whether you
need permission from property owners
to take photographs while on their
premises depends on the circumstances.
In most places, you may reasonably
assume that taking photographs
is allowed and that you do not
need explicit permission. However,
this is a judgment call and you should
request permission when the circumstances
suggest that the owner is likely
to object. In any case, when a property
owner tells you not to take photographs
while on the premises, you are
legally obligated to honor the request.
On occasion, law enforcement officers
may object to photography but
most understand that people have the
right to take photographs and do not
interfere with photographers. They do
have the right to keep you away from
areas where you may impede their
activities or endanger safety. However,
they do not have the legal right
to prohibit you from taking photographs
from other locations.
They Have Limited Rights to Bother,
Question, or Detain You
Although anyone has the right to
approach a person in a public place
and ask questions, persistent and
unwanted conduct done without a
legitimate purpose is a crime in many
states if it causes serious annoyance.
You are under no obligation to explain
the purpose of your photography nor
do you have to disclose your identity
except in states that require so upon
request by a law enforcement officer.
They Have No Right to Confiscate
Your Film
Sometimes agents acting for entities
such as owners of industrial plants
and shopping malls may ask you to
hand over your film. Absent a court
order, private parties have no right to
confiscate your film. Taking your film
directly or indirectly by threatening to
use force or call a law enforcement
agency can constitute criminal offenses
such as theft and coercion. It can
likewise constitute a civil tort such as
conversion. Law enforcement officers
may have the authority to seize film
when making an arrest but otherwise
must obtain a court order.
you can read the whole thing at
http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
July 27th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
followup, I put between some areas, showing that Id id not quote the whole bill of photographers rights..
go read the link I posted to get more information.
July 27th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
okay you cannot use some symbols grr I put (snip) between some files, which will explain why the post looks odd.
sorry for a triple post.
July 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
My hearing friend has said it was horrible and that AGB should and must write a personal letter of apology to Barb DiGi’s daughter Brianna.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
It is necessary for this to happen. It is necessary first for other deaf people and then the general community to see that AG Bell is NOT interested in “dialogue.” Most of us by now have read Shane Feldman’s blogs on this topic in DeafDC.com, and in these blogs several commenters DID outline a middle ground in which ASL and AG Bell supporters can meet. Amy Cohen Effron outlines that middle ground perfectly… promote ASL for deaf babies. It’s not extremist, it’s not radical, it’s not pro- or anti-CI. But what is the result? Rejection, dismissal, and hostility. What has to happen next is growing public outrage with AG Bell, and growing public consensus that those protesting are being entirely civil. This political pressure is the only thing that will make AG Bell heed the call for TRUE dialogue.
Onward to AG Bell’s upcoming conference in Milwaukee! Let’s start planning now so we can brig in HUNDREDS of protesters!
July 27th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
What Mike McConnell McConnell crybabyingconcluded is purely sterotyping deaf protestors as being uncivilly violent and stupid that hotel managers have the right to react like how they did today. He would be saying that African American group who had to demonstrate is as uncivil as any minute anywhere any similar ethnic group protest?
July 27th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Poor Brianna — Sigh. wondering if NAD can involved with this.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
PROUD to ALL of you, WHO KNOWS NOTHING BUT ASL! UNDERSTAND basis on Head + Heart + Hands = ASL!
(hands waving all way from San Diego)
July 27th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
If a stranger walks toward to a child and grab something out of child’s hand and scare him/her that’s a thief. Plus child abuse.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Excuse my English. Correction: “walks toward the child” not “toward to a child”.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
I would have called the police the moment I found out my daughter was scratched or even touched by a stranger in that kind of situation. I really do think Barb has a case for a lawsuit. I know they don’t do that with hearing protesters. It just P#@@es me off when I hear these things.
July 28th, 2007 at 12:41 am
To C,
I have to agree with you. It was incredible to know how the deaf children are treated by non signers. It was lack of respect to any community. Therefore, filing a complaint against Marriott and AGB for abusing America’s beautiful children, deaf or not, will be required. This shows AGB organization is separated from Deaf Americans. Barb’s daughter may need to be observed by psychologists and counselors to ensure her self-esteem and image after what happened. You will need to seek an attorney immediately. It is more than apology needed, all funds and donations may be necessary to help her and DBC.
It is unfortunate when DBC is trying to bridge the AGB community to help deaf babies. AGB must adopt and include all Deaf citizens!
July 28th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Thank you for your update report! Seems like that AGBAD bribe the hotel manager to ripe out the DBC???