[Peace-discuss] Re: [Peace] Re: UBA Letter

[Susan Davis]

I say we send them a "Good Luck!" card and  flower arrangement and resolve 
publicly to take our minimal business elsewhere.  They're dead in the water 
anyway.

SD

At 11:56 AM 12/3/2004, C. G. Estabrook wrote:
>Your comments seem quite right, Mort.  Lenin also said that the
>bourgeoisie would sell the rope with which it was to be hanged -- but
>apparently not the mall space where it might be criticized.
>
>Malls as the new public squares must recognize the rights that the Bill of
>Rights made governments recognize more than 200 years ago. More than a
>generation ago, US businesses were forced to recognize rights of public
>access.  Now they apparently must be forced to recognize civil liberties.
>We have to insist that our public representatives do that. It's happening
>across the country, and Urbana has an opportunity to do so in regard to
>Lincoln Square.
>
>Given what seems to be the fecklessness of the Illinois courts on this
>matter, it's probably pointless to sue them -- except to publicize the
>matter.  The route has to be political primarily, I suppose, but I think
>we may want to take advice on a suit, if only for the publicity. --CGE
>
>
>On Fri, 3 Dec 2004, Morton K.Brussel wrote:
>
> > I received the following letter from Paul Tatman, Board President of
> > the Urbana Business Ass'n.
> >
> > November 28, 2004
> >
> > Thank you for your recent letter regarding the Market In The Square. I
> > appreciate your position concerning policies governing the indoor
> > market. As you are aware, there are inherent differences between the
> > outdoor market and the indoor market. The outdoor market is held on
> > public property and is completely accessible to the public, including
> > vendors, nonprofit groups and shoppers.
> >
> > The indoor market is held on private property that creates certain
> > parameters that do not apply to the outdoor market. The property of
> > Lincoln Square management is very clear. Political groups are not
> > allowed to participate in political activities inside the mall.
> >
> > The Market in the Square is meant for vendors wishing to sell
> > locally-made and locally-grown products to shoppers inside the mall.
> > The Management reserves the right to approve or deny individual vendors
> > based on mall policies.
> >
> > Lincoln Square has shown committed support for nonprofit and community
> > groups over the years and will continue to do so.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Paul Tatman
> > Board President
> > Urbana Business Association
> >
> > Nothing new here. There is no attempt to reconcile our requests with
> > their rigid(?) rules, to admit that in fact the public subsidizes the
> > Mall operation with its business and (perhaps?) with its taxes. Nor is
> > their any attempt to define what is encompassed by "political"
> > (Girl/boy scouts?, VFW?, church groups?,
). Does political mean
> > "controversial" to somebody or other?
> >
> > So, quoting Lenin, "What is to be done?".
> >
> > Our original letter is attached: