[Peace] FW: Palestinian (Sabeel) Exhibit Censored by Illinois Gov

[Alfred Kagan]

I called yesterday and they said it was back up.

At 8:15 AM -0500 6/7/02, Sharyn DuPuy wrote:
>Please call and protest this censorship.  Nothing should be censored 
>by anyone in the United States government.  We still have 1st 
>Amendment rights until Bush decides to cancel those too.
>Sharyn DuPuy 
>
>Sabeel Palestinian Heritage Exhibit Censored by Illinois Governor
>
>Dear Friends of Sabeel,
>
>Your immediate response is needed.  The Sabeel photo exhibit on 
>display at the Thompson State of Illinois Center this week has been 
>taken down by the office of the Governor of Illinois
>
>"Our Story, The Palestinians" is a photo journalistic journey 
>through the history of the indigenous people beginning with 
>pre-catastrophe Palestine, through the wars and massacres of 1948 
>and 1967, to the uprising of the Intifada, into military occupation 
>and the present day struggle for justice and peace. The photo 
>exhibit has toured internationally. It's content is so moving and 
>powerful that a book consisting of the photographs from the exhibit 
>was published.
>
>Says Canon Naim Ateek, "... this [exhibit] book of photographs 
>stands as a warning to all of us because of our propensity to 
>oppress others, as a constant reminder of our need for the mercy and 
>forgiveness of God, and the ever present urgency to commit ourselves 
>to the doing of justice."
>
>
>The following report has been provided by Del Leppke, Sabeel member 
>in Illinois, and by Jennifer Bing-Canar of the American Friends 
>Service Committee:
>
>Exhibit Installation Censored by Governor's Office-Call Today
>The Arab American Arts Council and the American Friends Service 
>Committee got permission from the Illinois Governor's office to 
>exhibit "Our Story" at the Center in Chicago. The exhibit included a 
>three-panel display developed by AFSC which highlights Palestinian 
>arts, dance, food and architecture, which has been displayed in 
>Chicago-area public schools this year.  The exhibit also included a 
>collection of photographs developed by Sabeel, a collection 50 
>photos.
>
>Within an hour of the installation, the exhibit was taken apart by a 
>staff person from the Governor's office who said they had already 
>received complaints about the exhibit.  Of the 50 photographs, 8 
>generic photos were "allowed" to represent the Palestinian history. 
> The three panel arts and crafts exhibit also was allowed to stay up.
>
>We encourage you to contact Governor George Ryan's office to protest 
>this censorship:  100 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL  60601, Phone: 
> 312-814-2121
>
>Thank the governor's office for allowing space for the display but 
>register your strong opposition to the censorship of 42 of the 50 
>photographs.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Rev. Richard K. Toll
>National Chairperson
>Friends of Sabeel-North America


-- 


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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