[Peace-discuss] AWARE minutes

[Al Kagan]

AWARE Minutes
October 5, 2003


1. News of the Week - Carl Estabrook. 

2. Coalition for Citizen Police Review.  Flyers and proposals were 
distributed.  There is also a proposed ordinance and a mock complaint 
form.  There is much support for a board on the Urbana City Council, 
but they need visible public support to be able to appropriate 
funding.  The Champaign City Council is not likely to support it. 
They may also try to get a board at the county level.  The Board 
would have limited powers since it would be advisory to the City 
Council and the Chief of Police.  For more information or to help 
out, contact cprb at lists.cu.groogroo.com.

3. Peter Roloff's visit to Tolono High School.  Tolono is a white 
farming community. He spoke to an expanded current  affairs class on 
the War in Iraq.  He was preceded the day before by a pro-war 
speaker, Mark Thompson.  Most students thought that Saddam was 
connected to 9/11. They watch Fox News. Half supported war on Iraq 
and half against.  The most productive part was a discussion around 
terrorism as crime, not act of war.  Ways to work with more high 
schools will be taken on by the Speaker's Bureau Working Group after 
the meeting.

4. Prospect for Peace.  We had about 35 folks, and the Bikers for 
America had about 20 in support of the war.  We gave out about 200 
flyers.  It was mostly peaceful but silly string was thrown at us, 
and several cars were painted and silly stringed.  Those who had 
painted cars are urged to report this to the police. We need to 
always bring a camera and a cell phone. We need to call the Champaign 
Police to let them know of our coming plans for Oct. 25th and the 
first Saturday of November.  Oct. 25th is the national day of 
protest, and we need to get a big turnout.  Peter will make a special 
flyer.  We should have a sign-making party. Some will go to DC. 
There will be a working group to take on the Oct. 25th events, 
including security.

5. Farmers Market.  Few people came to the market compared to the 
usual number.  This was also true in the number who came to the AWARE 
table.  We collected only $30.  Peter asked for more volunteers to 
sit at the table.

6.  Finances.  We have $2791.90.

7.  Events of the past week. 
Kathy Kelly's 7 talks in 2 days.  She was remarkably good and 
successful.  The Town Meeting had a good turn-out, almost all on the 
peace side.  They had a hard time finding pro-war speakers who would 
agree to talk.  Muhammad al-Heeti's talk was last, and he spoke from 
the heart and showed moving slides.

Immigration  Freedom Ride rally.  Several hundred people from diverse 
groups attended.  There was much positive energy, and there was good 
national coverage.

Meridith has safely arrived back in Guatemala.

The Public i is out.  They need volunteers.  Meetings are Thursdays, 
5:15 at the IMC.

There was a talk on neo-liberalism. Lisa will investigate doing 
something similar for us.

8.  Upcoming events.
Noam Chomsky. At ISU, Bloomington, Braden Auditorium, Tuesday, 7 PM. 
David Green is offering rides leaving at 1 PM.

Observing War Crimes. Wednesday at Illinois Program for Research on 
the Humanities.  Also panel on Thursday, 4 PM at the Law School.

Latin American and Caribbean discussion. Wednesdays at noon in the 
International Studies Building.

Anti-Columbus Day rally.  October 10th, 11:30 AM to 2 PM outside 
Henry Administration Bldg.

School for Designing a Society House Theater.  Saturday and Sunday, 
October 11 and 12, 8PM, 122 Franklin St., Urbana, off Broadway, North 
of University. Suggested donation of $10 but sliding scale, 
Refreshments, Seating is limited, reservations at 384-0299. 

Progressive Hip Hop.  Wednesday at the Canopy Club.

AWARE Anti-Racism Working Group.  Meets tomorrow night, 9 PM at Al's place.

-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu
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