After two years of protesting alleged racism in the firing of three black University Dental School workers, the National Women's Rights Organizing Coalition met last night to discuss future activism on campus.
Eighteen NWROC members and Ann Arbor residents joined former University employees Delano Isabell, Theresa Atkins and Dawn Mitchell for a forum in the Michigan League's Koessler Room.
NWROC member and event organizer Shanta Driver said the forum was organized to discuss the 1995 firing of the workers and the outcome of February's lawsuit.
"This is the first forum we have been able to do since the (civil trial) began because we were all under a gag order," Driver said.
In February, the three charged the University and Dental School supervisor Linda Vichon DeMarco with discrimination in a 1995 firing.
After a weeklong civil trial, the University was found guilty, but DeMarco was vindicated.
On Friday, the three workers will be back in Judge Robert Shelton's Washtenaw County Courtroom asking for reinstatement at the Dental School.
"I think they should be put back to work, and their records should be cleared because that's justice," said George Washington, the former employees' attorney.
Washington said the University is "still a racist" institution.
"(The University) is literally standing in the Dental School door saying we don't want black people who protest racism to work in this school," he said.
Last night, Washington also compared his clients' fight to the 1960s civil rights movement.
Those who attended the event said they went to show their support against racism on campus.
LSA first-year student Nikita Little said she attended the forum to represent students who are active in today's civil rights issues.
"(I came) to let people know, especially students, that they do have a voice on campus and only through unity can most goals get accomplished," Little said.
The former employees and their attorney said they have mixed feelings about the possible outcome of Friday's hearing.
Atkins said she wants to believe they will be reinstated, but added that she was unsure.
"I think it would be a victory because we were proven not guilty, and it shouldn't be anything but in our favor," Atkins said. "I don't know. The University does strange things. It's hard to tell."
NWROC member Jessica Curtin said students should pay attention to the Dental School hearing and its outcome because it will impact their lives at the University.
"I think this is something every student can learn from," said Curtin, an LSA senior.
"It can translate not only into students fighting racism but for other issues, as well like fighting for lower tuition and more financial aid, and other demands that students have," she said.
AJA DEKLEVA COHEN/Daily
Detroit attorney George Washington sits next to former Dental School employee Delano Isabel during a panel discussion held by NWROC in the Michigan League last night. The panel discussed future activism on campus.