Protesters at School for Deaf Arrested

Rev. Gerard A. Trancone, the Catholic Chaplin of Gallaudet University, left, pleads with student leader LaToya Plummer, to let him onto the university campus to hear daily mass, Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 in Washington. Gallaudet University students blocked access to campus for a second day Thursday, escalating their protest against an incoming president they say lacks the skills to lead the nation's only liberal arts university for the deaf and hearing impaired. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg) (Chris Greenberg - AP)

D.C. police took protesters to a holding center, where they were offered a choice of paying a $50 fine or receiving a citation, which requires a court appearance.

The students cheered and chanted "J.K. out, J.K. out" and "Shame on the police. Go get the drug dealers" as the arrests were in progress.

The school has been virtually shut down by the students who formed human chains at the gates, keeping vehicles form entering or exiting.

Those who are against Fernandes' presidency say she isn't open to different points of view and that the selection process did not reflect the student body's diversity.

Jordan became the 1,800-student school's first deaf president in 1988 after student protesters marched to the Capitol demanding a "Deaf President Now." The school was founded by Congress in 1864.

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Associated Press Writer Brian Westley contributed to this report

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