[Peace] Urgent: Stun guns being considered by Champaign C

[jencart]

Hi Kimberly and Friends,

I think the entire subject of weapons used by the police should be under review.  Obviously officers need humane and safe deterrents.  Guns, nightsticks, pepper spray, etc can be misused..... Is there something better that we can support?  The Now coverage of police action against protesters was chilling.... Clearly, the nasty "bullets" used against FTAA protesters - and which narrowly missed killing a film-maker covering the protest - are unacceptable, as was the attitude of the police.  Scary.....

But in joining the C-U Urban League in this - a great idea - we need to recognise that persons of color have a lot more @ stake than do white protesters - we're there by choice, and in far fewer numbers, so it seems inappropriate to go to the head of the line.   I think we should be there for them first, and then for us/all others as well...

Jenifer C.

Dear Activists,

According to Friday's edition of the News Gazette, the Champaign City Council is considering purchasing Tasers, or stun guns.  Tazors shoot electric darts that deliver a charge that immobilzes a "suspect."  They are being marketed as a way to prevent injury to officers and suspects.

We know better.  They will be used AGAINST activists, including those of us who protest out on N. Prospect. 

Lori Serb's trial, and my own trial from my arrest for civil disobedience in 2001, are examples of how officers lie on the stand.  The Tazor is just another tool to use against us.

The Urban League is strongly against their purchase for fear that they will be used disproportionately against African Americans in our community.

This is an opportunity to work with the Urban League to block the purchase of Tasers. We need to act fast.

Please call the Mayor, city council members at large and your own city council person.  I am going to ask to meet with mine, Mike LaDue, and will show him clips from Bill Moyer's program on how Miami officers abused FTAA protesters using Tazors as one of their tools.

It is important that you try to have a face-to-face meeting with yoru rep. Eamail isn't as effective.

If anyone else has LaDue as their representative and wants to meet with me when I speak to him, please email me.

Meanwhile, please read the News GAzette article and contact your city council person. Their phone numbers are listed below.

I think that this is something that AWARE should take on as a group. The issue of Tasers connects us racially and politically.

Kimberlie
***********************
Gerald Schweighart
Mayor
Liquor Commissioner
2906 West Daniel St.
Champaign, IL 61821
 H: 217/359-9294
O: 217/403-8720
E: JerrySchweighart at ci.champaign.il.us 2007 

J.W. Pirtle
Deputy Mayor
District 1
1205 Carver Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820
 H: 217/356-5500
E: JWPirtle at ci.champaign.il.us 2005 

Michael La Due
Council Member
District 2
1005 S. Sixth St., Apt. #28
Champaign, IL 61820 
 H: 217/367-5536
E: MichaelLaDue at ci.champaign.il.us 2005 

Vic McIntosh
Council Member
District 3
501 Clearwater
Champaign, IL 61822 H: 217/352-0194
E: VicMcIntosh at ci.champaign.il.us 2005 

James Green
Council Member
District 4
2206 Plymouth Dr.
Champaign, IL 61821 
 H: 217/355-1232
O: 217/367-2500
E: JimGreen at ci.champaign.il.us 2005 


Ken Pirok
Council Member
District 5
2203 Southmoor Drive
Champaign, IL 61821
 H: 217/398-4258
O: 217/398-4258
E: KenPirok at ci.champaign.il.us 2005
 
Thomas Bruno
Council Member
At Large
1109 W. Park Ave.
Champaign, IL 61821 
 H: 217/398-2191
O: 217/328-6000
E: TomBruno at ci.champaign.il.us 2007
 
Kathy Ennen
Council Member
At Large
2711 Sangamon Dr.
Champaign, IL 61821 
 H: 217/351-6164
E: KathyEnnen at ci.champaign.il.us  2007 


Giraldo Rosales
Council Member
At Large
102 N. Neil St.
Champaign, IL 61820