Jan. 12, 2024 3:15p
(WGTD)---Gateway Technical College has rescinded a Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian award that it planned to give at Monday’s annual ceremony at the college.
A news release from the college indicates that the selection committee—after "thoughtful" consideration—decided not to honor the Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism. The release said the decision was made after the committee became aware of some concerns that didn’t align with Gateway’s values nor reflect the spirit of the award, which the college said is to honor peace, fairness and equity.
In a statement issued Friday morning, the coalition questioned the decision and slammed Gateway, accusing the college of being reactionary and more interested in self-protection than in honoring the legacy of King. The coalition said it was told that the reversal was the result of a complaint received about a social media post on Palestine that was made by the group’s president on a personal site.
The coalition was launched several years ago to address inequities faced by students of color in the Burlington Area School District.
Two other awards that are expected to be presented at Monday’s event will stand. They’re being given to Nakeyda Haymer, the Wisconsin state director of Voices of Black Mothers United and Racine’s Violent Crime Reduction coordinator, and Ron Tatum, executive director of Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services.
The 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration will be held from noon to one in HARIBO Hall of the Madrigrano Conference Center on Gateway’s Kenosha campus.
The theme for this year’s event is “The Time is Now.”
The keynote speaker is the Rev. Demetrist Crum of Second Baptist Church in Kenosha.
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