Free Brian Barakauskas

Consider the impact on his students who had nothing to do with this discussion of how to improve UCWDC.

I don’t pretend to have all the facts but Brian has consistently stated his love for our sport and has made pleas for open communication. I appreciate his openness and inclusion of UCWDC members. If he had mistakes, he openly admitted them. When one entity refuses to have a dialogue it leaves room for people to draw their own conclusions. When the voice is “punished” for attempting to initiate change but it is met by stonewalling the only thing left is for the wall to crumble. I love the sport of dance and I have great respect for the PEOPLE on both sides of this issue. I hope that Brian is reinstated with no strings attached and that resolution and healing of this gaping wound can occur. Life is short.

Calling the dialogue that Brian presented "cyber bullying" is a gross misuse of the very real problem that presents in today's society. He voiced the concerns and complaints that so many others brought to him instead of the UCWDC directly because they had either been met with silence in the past, were turned away, or were afraid of this very sort of retaliation. Way to validate every concern brought up amidst all of this UCWDC.

Punishment not fitting of the crime! Seems retaliatory after the Pres opens up a line of communication so BB slows up and starts to talk behind the scenes again, and then this...foul play.

Reinstate Brian, he is just being the voice foe many people. UCWDC needs to listen and stop being defensive.

The punishment doesn’t fit the crime

Former UCWDC who left competition due to a number of reasons highlighted by Brian.

Brian lives for dance and is a positive promoter of all dance.

What has happened is unworthy of a not for profit organisation snd goes against the principles of being a dance community . I do not believe Brian should have been punished at all but what should have happened is that the council should Hsve discussed his and their concerns openly with him and listened to what he was saying .?

Sad days we live in

Even if Brian is reinstated I'm not sure I will return to the UCWDC.

To affect great change sometimes making a mess is necessary. Change can be messy. And uncomfortable. But necessary for growth. I believe Brian spoke professionally in his public addresses and took great care to only mention a specific someone if he had first hand knowledge of nepotism, abuse of power, poor or unprofessional behavior etc. He has been an advocate and mentor to many of us fledgling professionals. Offering advice, guidance and wisdom at every turn. For nothing more than to grow our community. His full reinstatement is not only the right thing to do. It is the necessary one if we are to continue to trust our governing board and rules we should all abide by.

Dialogue is always better than a ban

Brian always appears to be speaking out for the sake of unity and making positive changes, and I have seen no signs of cyberbullying in any of his communications.

Bring Brian Back

I fully support Brian B. And everything he's doing for the country dance family at large.

I support Brian B for being brave enough to help an outdated organization in any ever changing and evolving society. Today is different than yesterday, and the UCDWC is in need of change.

I am not a current member, I don't compete any more, but been part of it all since 1993. If it is family, family talks to each other, they do not excommunicate them. Sounds like failure to work as a team is the biggest of all problems here. The members should be heard, the Council and World's are extinct without the members. May cooler heads prevail, may family work through its differences for sake of the better good for all. Respectfully.

#freebrianb

Our voice should not be silenced. We are suppose to be a dance family and run my dictators.