[Peace] Hate Crimes Discussion at Council TUESDAY NOT MONDAY

[Danielle Chynoweth]

----------- meeting correction! --------
Due to Veteran's Day, City Council is meeting TUESDAY at 7:30 pm not
Monday ...

Urbana City Council will be talking about local hate crimes and the
harrassment of people based on their stance on the war
this TUESDAY Nov. 13 at 7:30 PM in Urbana City Council Chambers at
400 S Vine St near Illinois St.

The discussion is prompted by community reports of harrassment and
violence towards Arab-Americans, people of color, and protestors in town,
although a broader discussion of hate crimes is invited.

Feel free to come and share your experiences, opinions, and advice with
council, whether the experiences come in the wake of 9-11 or not.  The
public input section of the meeting occurs shortly after 7:30 PM.

If a person can not or does not wish to speak publically, they can e-mail
me and I will share their input (anonymously if they wish):
danielle at onthejob.net.

thanks,

Danielle Chynoweth
Urbana City Council
Ward 4

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More information:

The police have been asked to report on:

1. Is there an increase of hate crimes in our town since 9-11?  By what
amount (are there statistics)?  What has been the nature of these crimes?

2. There are numerous reports in the community of harrassment, death
threats, and destruction of property of people in town because of their
political and/or religious stance against the war.  Has the police
department been getting an influx of reports such as these?  How has the
police department responded?

3. Has the Urbana police department been in contact with the UI and
Champaign police department about a rise in hate crimes and strategies to
respond to this?

4. Are hate crimes distingusihed from other crimes in reporting?

5. How do the police respond to hate crimes?

6. What should the public do if they are victim or witness to a hate
crime?


Here are the goals of raising this issue as, I see it:

1. Raise public awareness about hate crimes and the harrassment of
pacifists.

2. Strengthen community resolve to oppose and report hate crimes.

3. Inform council if there is an increase in hate crimes so that council
can take action.

4. Alter police reporting systems if necessary so that hate crimes can be
tracked more easily.