<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Champaign-Urbana</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Citizens</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">for</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Peace</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">and</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Justice</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Stands</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">in</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Solidarity</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">with</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">James</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">Kilgore.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">As a grassroots
movement working to address racial, gender, and economic injustices
produced by our local criminal justice system, we have made one of our main
efforts in recent years the prevention of new jail construction and the
mass-incarceration mindset that goes along with it. Our ongoing effort has had
remarkable success, thanks in great part to the tireless work and vision of
fellow CUCPJ member James Kilgore.<br>
<br>
In February 2014, a local right wing newspaper launched an attack against Dr.
Kilgore, reporting as if it was news on his criminal background and political
activities in the 1970s and questioning whether the University of
Illinois―where he currently teaches―should employ him. Although in March a
spokesperson for the University made a statement in support of Dr. Kilgore, in
April in a private meeting with the University provost, James was informed
without explanation that the University would not approve any future employment
contracts with him.<br>
<br>
We in CUCPJ see this treatment―the attack articles and his dismissal/firing
without reasons―as injustices perpetrated not only against James Kilgore but
all people with felony convictions who have paid their debt to society. We
believe in building a multicultural democracy that includes the voices of those
formerly incarcerated. Dr. Kilgore has every right to contribute to our
community, participate in the democratic process, and assert himself as a
citizen of Champaign-Urbana. We call for the University to reverse its decision
and rehire James Kilgore. We also call on the community to sign <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/phyllis-wise-chancellor-university-of-illinois-restore-james-kilgore-s-employment-status" target="_blank">the
petition</a> supporting him.<br>
<br>
An injury to one is an injury to all. <br>
<br>
CUCPJ</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">For other articles see:
Christopher Benson, <a href="http://www.chicagoreporter.com/kilgore-case-potential-%E2%80%98blow%E2%80%99-academic-freedom-equity#.U209UFcZrdX" target="_blank">"Kilgore
case a potential ‘blow’ to academic freedom, equity"</a> and <a href="http://chicagoreporter.com/kilgore-case-process-important-outcome?fb_action_ids=10201974981958149&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.U2vBam7ZHSK.like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210201974981958149%22%3A784440984910155%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210201974981958149%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%2210201974981958149%22%3A%22.U2vBam7ZHSK.like%22%7D#.U209VlcZrdX" target="_blank">"In
Kilgore case, process as important as outcome"</a>; Brian Dolinar, <a href="http://smilepolitely.com/opinion/petition_to_reinstate_james_kilgore_educator_activist_and_father/" target="_blank">"Petition
to reinstate James Kilgore: Educator, activist, and father"</a>; Pete
Brook, <a href="http://prisonphotography.org/2014/04/29/after-rightwing-smear-campaign-university-of-illinois-dumps-lecturer-and-anti-jail-activist/" target="_blank">"After
Rightwing Smear Campaign, University of Illinois Dumps Lecturer and Anti-Jail
Activist"</a>; <i>Daily Illini</i>, <a href="http://www.dailyillini.com/opinion/editorials/article_aa28e64e-ca70-11e3-9397-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">"Rehabilitation
should allow for job opportunities."</a></span></p><span class=""><font color="#888888">
</font></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">
<a href="http://www.ucimc.org/content/champaign-urbana-citizens-peace-and-justice-stands-solidarity-james-kilgore" target="_blank">http://www.ucimc.org/content/champaign-urbana-citizens-peace-and-justice-stands-solidarity-james-kilgore</a><br>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><br></p>-- <br><div dir="ltr"><div>Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.<br></div><div></div><a href="http://briandolinar.com" target="_blank">briandolinar.com</a><br></div>
</div>