Camille Selvon-Abrahams is the pioneer of Animation in the Caribbean, being the one to start an animation festival and an animation Diploma in Animation at UTT in Trinidad and Tobago. She was recently unceremoniously dismissed from UTT and set to be replaced, without prior warning. This is grounds for wrongful termination. In addition, it has negatively impacted on her students.

It was Camille’s job to enter grades and organize the student final film screening, neither of which to this moment have been able to be done. Also Camille was involved in facilitating events and projects under UTT like the Animation Camp, a UTT collaboration workshop with Telecommunication Association of T&T, a workshop with Royal College of Art and more. This now leaves the question open as to whether these which were for the benefit of students, will still continue.

This also sends a poor message to the public. It says that one can offer several years of service, only to be so unceremoniously booted out. That at the end of all your hard work, someone else can now lay claim? It shows a blatant disregard for Camille’s value, time and sacrifice. It sets a bad precedence for the workplace, allowing another to basically undo the actions of another, or ride off their coattails and let it be allowed, without a bat of an eye.

We do not agree to this unfair treatment, and will be standing out against it. It impacts us and the many of us to come. Many students fear for the future of the animation department as it may be in jeopardy based on the actions displayed.

Please sign this petition, to not only show your support for Camille, but also to make a declaration that unfairness and disrespect will not be stood for. 

Thank you.