[Peace-discuss] A letter to Mary Schenk of the News-Gazette

[Brian Dolinar]

Below is a letter CU-Citizens for Peace and Justice have sent to
News-Gazette reporter, Mary Schenk.


Ms. Schenk,



It was overheard by courtroom observers today that you do not plan to attend
the majority of the upcoming third trial of Patrick Thompson. It was
understood that you plan to only attend the opening arguments and closing
arguments in the Thompson case.



It is very surprising to hear that *The News-Gazette* would not want to hear
witness testimony in the third jury trial of a prominent civil rights
activist in our community. Since 2004, Mr. Thompson has appeared in over a
dozen news articles in your paper regarding crucial issues of concern to
Champaign-Urbana. Mr. Thompson has spoken openly about the public education
of minority students, the Champaign Police acquiring tasers, the right of
citizens and the media to videotape uniformed police officers in the public
way without prosecution, the mentoring of at-risk youth, and the
improvements needed in the criminal justice system.



In addition, *The News-Gazette* has been very vigorous in reporting the
state's criminal prosecution of Patrick Thompson. There are over 12 *
News-Gazette* articles containing the state's accusations against Mr.
Thompson. You attended all three days of the first trial. You attended all
three days of the second trial. It is mystifying, now that Mr. Thompson has
acquired competent legal counsel and may finally be allowed to present
defense witnesses, you would choose to ignore a story that will likely have
new information not previously reported. If you are not there to see this
testimony, we do not understand how you will be able to report it.



Mike Howie and John Beck shared the concerns of local black leadership at
the meeting held at the Urban League in February of 2007 that *The
News-Gazette* should be striving to cover stories of interest to the local
minority community, and do so without prejudice or insult. Your decision, if
this is the case, to not attend a third trial of a well-known black leader
is a step backwards toward *The News-Gazette's* goal of fair and balanced
news coverage for all.



We hope you reconsider your absence and please attend the entire trial.
Thank you for your consideration.



Champaign Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice




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-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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