[Peace] minutes from AWARE mtg 6-6-04, well, sort of

[Ricky Baldwin]

AWARE meeting 6-6-04

Ken Urban facilitated with good humor and efficiency.

Introductions were brief and not numerous.

News of the Week (Carl G. Estabrook was absent, so
others filled in.)-
Fmr US President Reagan died at a perfect time for the
Bush campaign.
Venezuelan President Chavez will face a recall vote in
August.  The opposition got enough signatures, and the
petition has been accepted.   Timing of the recall
vote will be the next fight.  If before Aug. 19, there
will be an election.  If after, the VP will succeed
Chavez automatically.

Prospect for Peace-
Monthly protest against war and occupation went well,
24 people attending, good responses, etc. despite
being displaced to the other side of the street by
construction.  Next: July 3, 2-4 pm.
Al suggested trying out another location in addition
to this one, perhaps on the third Saturday: new plaza
at Main and Neil.  Nods.

Legal issues-
Al, Carol and Ricky met with atty Bob Finch, who is
willing to work for us for free, pro bono and without
charging us.  The search for an atty alone uncovered
several lawyers in town who are sympathetic, made some
good contacts.  Finch was particularly eager: returned
calls within 10 minutes, called to let us know about
the construction on Prospect, etc.  Finch will write a
letter to the police on his letterhead and attend the
meeting with the Champaign Police (TBA).  He also
requested we designate official
spokespersons/committee for clear lines of
communication with him.  These will be Susan Davis,
Randall Cotton and Al Kagan.

AWARE’s Third Annual Fourth of July float-
The team has a plan.  “Another World Is Possible” will
be the theme: one nasty, old, polluted world with war
and barbed wire and such, cracked open, and a shiny
new one emerging to represent peace, universal;
healthcare, etc.  We need everyone to collect
newspapers for the papier-mache, eight volunteers to
pull it (the weight of the world on their shoulders),
a handful of others to walk along with “burdens” on
their backs (“poverty”, “war,” etc.) and a number of
folks to walk behind celebrating the new world.  Work
parties TBA next week.

Tim Johnson meeting-
No response, more delays.  Carol will send Matt’s
letter to the News-Gazette as an open letter
requesting a public meeting to discuss war and
occupation.  [NOTE: On Monday Carol received a call
from TJ’s office.  Stay tuned!]

Tabling-
-Farmers’ Mkt- Good responses, raised $175, 50
postcards pressuring Kerry mailed.  Ken made new
trifolds with Common Dreams articles and gave them
out.  Sara brought a rack to put pamphlets in.

-Taste of Champaign- June 25-27 - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! 
See Carol carolinskeep at yahoo.com if you can help. 
Peter suggests skipping the Farmers’ Mkt just that one
weekend to devote more human power to the Taste.

WILL Commentaries-
Randall met with WILL management to discuss offensive
new policy that violates free speech and common human
decency.  Result: WILL folks exploring the possibility
of  setting aside a specific time on a regular basis
for national and international issues.  Randall is
optimistic.

Democracy Now!/UPTV- 
Randall is less optimistic after 2 months of delays
and suspicious evasions.  Time to increase pressure. 
Community-minded individuals encouraged to phone
manager Bill and ask what’s up: 384-2354.  Susan will
check with someone she knows who is knowledgeable
about Cable Access Tv & regs.  [NOTE: Monday Randall
got a response from Bill that was more encouraging. 
Stay Tuned!]

Boondocks/News-Gazette Censorship-
Jan collected 73 signatures asking the NG to reverse
its ignominious cancellation of Boondocks for its
criticism of Bush.  No response yet.

Finances-
This weekend we made $204.65 incl. Farmers’ Mkt and
AWARE meeting collection plate.
Gabe made a $154.00 deposit last week and wrote a
check for the March 20 rental of the Urbana Middle
School cafetorium to the tune of $40.00.  No word on
the balance in the account.

New Ideas-
- Discussion of Emanuel’s proposal for door-to-door
leafleting with info and resources on various issues. 
Al and Susan are meeting to discuss new lit this week.

- Voter registration, two opportunities: Democrats
going door-to-door (posted separately).  UC
Progressives are having a picnic July 3 and will
discuss it (details TBA).

- UI Board of Trustees meeting in Chicago June 17. 
New group called “I Resist” holding protests events:
Monday - planning meeting; Tuesday at noon holding
signs along Green St (did this once before); Tuesday
night gathering on the Quad 6:30-ish for send-off of
activists going to Chicago; Wed. protest in Chicago
with Native American group there (The Board, whose
members apparently know no shame, are having dinner at
the Native American Center that night); Thursday early
morning protest.  Details will be posted separately. 
Also: new tee-shirts available soon.

Events of the Past Week-
Green presidential candidate David Cobb spoke at UI. 
Ken shared the stage.

Upcoming-
Tuesday at 7pm St. Pat’s will have a video on the
School of the Americas.
Thursday at the Aroma Café Darrin Drda will perform.
June 17 will see a forum with the Police Community
Relations group.
June 19 there will be a celebration on Juneteenth at
Parkland College with African American Cultural Arts.

[I reconstructed this from my notes, as we forgot to
designate someone to take “official” minutes.  Please
chime in with any corrections, additions or
misgivings. - Ricky]





	
		
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