[Peace-discuss] Re: [UCIMC-print] Thompson's accuser

[Brian Dolinar]

Good morning all.

Being the author of the Thompson story on the web page, I wanted to respond.
In publicizing the Thompson case in the last 6 months, we have
discussed the complexities of this issue.  We have supporters who have
been sexually assaulted and seen their friends raped.  It took
Danielle Chenowyth, for example, a long time to come around on the PT
case.  Maybe she can weigh in on this.

We took up the Hjort case, in part, because we wanted to emphasize our
support of rape victims.  The accuser in this case alleged she was
raped by Urbana officer Kurt Hjort.  There's evidence, he used public
property to stalk the woman.   He then said it was consensual.  Got
off scott free.  Not arrested, no nada.

Our group alone stood on the side of the woman in this case.

Key information about the accuser in the PT case never went before a jury.
We have record that the accuser has made previous charges against
three different men of color.  Therefore, her credibility is on the
line here.  Defense failed to subpoena the names of these 3 men.

While we are aware of the issues rape victims face, please keep in
mind the deep racial implications of the case:

A white woman accusing a Black man has political consequenses in America.

I will in the future not refer to use the accuser's name.
But I ask that it be left on the web pg as is.

Thanks for your consideration.

In solidarity, BD

On 7/8/06, Wendy Edwards <wedwards at uiuc.edu> wrote:
> Many of us have been greatly concerned about the Patrick Thompson trial.
> There have been valid questions about the accusations, and it's quite
> possible that Patrick was convicted unfairly.  There have also been
> legitimate questions raised about the motives and credibility of the
> accuser.
>
> However, a number of people are also concerned about the IMC's decision
> to publicize the name of the alleged victim.  They've made some valid
> points.  Even if Thompson's accuser was lying, this kind of action could
> still have a chilling effect on other sexual assault victims.  Reporting
> the attack and pressing charges would be extremely difficult; perhaps
> the idea of their name on a high traffic website could make it
> unthinkable.
>
> This also has the potential to alienate many members of the
> Champaign-Urbana community.  From the perspective of Thompson's
> supporters, the alleged victim is a serial accuser who may be sending an
> innocent man to prison.  From the public's perspective, IMC members are
> bullying a rape victim.
>
> If nobody objects, I would like to edit the entries on the website so
> that the accuser's name is removed.  I'd also respectfully suggest that
> the IMC avoid publishing personal information about the accuser, because
> it's likely to backfire.
>
> Thanks,
> Wendy Edwards
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>


-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
204 S. Lynn St.
Champaign, IL 61820
briandolinar at gmail.com