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George, The Staff Union at the University of Virginia (SUUVA) is asking for contributions to help defray our fellow union member Dena Bowers' legal fees for her case against UVA. She was fired on November 22, 2005. As most of you are aware, after 17 years of impeccable performance and loyal service, Dena was fired for sending a personal email from her UVA account to a fellow employee and co-member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Following a widespread outcry for her reinstatement, UVA acknowledged that employees are permitted to send personal emails. Now the University says Dena was fired because she was uncooperative and insubordinate while they investigated her prior to her termination; however, they refuse to comment on specifics of this allegation. For more information on these events, please "Google" Dena Bowers, or visit http://www.suuva.org. Many believe the actual motive for the firing was a blatant attempt to muzzle Dena's freedom of speech because she opposes the UVA administration's stance on charter. The report she emailed to her NAACP co-member outlined concerns about the two-tier workforce the University's higher education restructuring bill (charter) will create. Dena has not worked since November 22nd but her legal fees continue to mount. Please consider giving so she can see her defense full circle. Any amount will help. Please send your contribution to Dena's attorney, a noted civil rights advocate, at the following address:
Please make out your check to Deborah Wyatt, and note on the Memo line that it is for Dena Bowers' defense. Your name and contribution will be confidential and not available to any outside source. Thank you for considering this. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. - Jan Cornell (electronic mail, January 21, 2006)
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