[Peace] AWARE Minutes, October 9, 2005

[David Green]

AWARE Minutes, October 9, 2005

Facilitator: Randall Cotton
Minutes: David Green
Time: Bob Illyes

1. News of the Week (posted separately). Listen
tonight on WEFT at 5:30 for Carl Estabrook’s News of
the Week (trial run).


2. Introductions: 19, including Jan and Carrol Cox
from Bloomington-Normal Citizens for Peace and
Justice. BNCPJ, like AWARE, formed after 9/11 with
interest from about 120 people, and has sponsored many
events, including an alternative inauguration of a
juniper bush as President (reminding some of those
present of the pig that was nominated in Chicago by
the Yippees in 1968). They noted that there is a large
population in Central Illinois cities of Peoria, B-N,
C-U, Decatur, and Springfield (1/2 million?)which
could be more well-coordinated in its activities,
including regionally-based protests as an alternative
to nationally-based.

(The following note is from Jan and Durl Kruse):

At tonight's AWARE meeting, Jan and Carrol Cox
attended from Bloomington/Normal Citizens for Peace
and Justice, BNCPJ.  They are very interested in
networking with other peace and justice organizations
in central Illinois for the purpose of sharing
information and uniting on common interests and
activities.  Members of AWARE agreed this was a
worthwhile goal.  The initial suggestion was to share
websites and names of contact persons from various
communities.

They have our contact information, so here is their
website.  You may want to save and refer to on
occasion:    http://bncpj.pabn.org

The Cox's email is:    jkcox30 at yahoo.com

The goal is to build a listserv of contacts from
throughout central Illinois including Springfield,
Decatur, Bloomington/Normal, DeKalb, Galesburg,
Mattoon/Charleston, Peoria, etc. that can be shared
with everyone involved in peace and justice work.

To Building A Larger, United and Cohesive Peace and
Justice Movement in Central Illinois


3. New Ideas

Approve IDF request to co-sponsor fundraising dinner,
speakers Paul and Pat Vogel, November 5th.

The discussion of coordination of regional
communication led to a discussion of the AWARE
website. Carl Estabrook, taking over from Randall
Cotton will be more actively involved in maintaining
the website in coming months.

Linda Evans proposed paying $364 to WEFT for continued
underwriting of a weekly spot on Wednesday during the
WEFT courier. It was suggested that the AWARE
statement be read at 5:00 instead of 4:00 to reach a
larger audience. This expense was approved by
consensus. AWARE is also mentioned (without charge) on
WEFT PSAs regarding upcoming events, etc.

After extended discussion, by 90% majority, it was
approved that AWARE contribute $50 to the legal
defense fund of Patrick Thompson for his upcoming
trial, which may be a consequence of racial
discrimination of Urbana police.


4. Working Groups

A. Finances: $2394 currently on deposit

B. Farmers Market: We took in about $70 on a slow day,
will continue until end of October outdoors, then move
into the mall for several weeks before the holidays.

C. Main Event: Final evening 6-8 demonstration this
Saturday, October 15th.


D. AWARE Presents:

Durl is in touch with UPTV regarding producing future
local talks for airing, following up on Kathy Kelly
YMCA talk (see below). 

This working group is looking for venues that will not
be “preaching to the choir,” especially in contacting
local churches. He is in touch with the Interfaith
Alliance (Colleen Vojak).

They continue to explore a panel on Iraqi perspectives
on the war, including the al-Heetis. Other possible
topics include racial profiling and the Patriot Act,
as well as the topic of Muslim women in our community.
Professor Robert McKim was mentioned as a possible
speaker, who is critical regarding the Christian
community’s response to the war.

It was approved by consensus that AWARE’s name can be
used in support of local broadcasts (WLRW, WIXY, WXTT)
of an interview with Anthony Shadid, an award winning
Washington Post journalist and author of “Night Draws
Near,” that details the effects of the war in Iraq.
Thanks to our new member (whose name I hope somebody
will fill in) for her work on this project. Shadid was
also recently interviewed on WILL:

http://www.will.uiuc.edu/am/focus/archives/05/050926.htm

Notice of the next AWARE Presents meeting, this
Wednesday, is below.



5. Upcoming Events

PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE FOR THE MONDAY NIGHT
PROGRAM! 

Elaine Brown will be a Guest-in-Residence at Unit
One/Allen Hall 10/10-10/12. She will be speaking every
night of her residency. All events are open to the
public and take place in the Main Lounge of Allen
Hall, 1005 W. Gregory, Urbana. 

Elaine Brown became, in 1974, the first and only woman
to lead the Black Panther Party. In her
autobiographical memoir, A Taste of Power: A Black
Woman’s Story, Brown recounts her life from the
ghettos of North Philadelphia to her leadership in one
of the most important and militant civil rights groups
in U. S. history. Today, as an activist, writer, and
popular lecturer, Brown promotes the vision of an
inclusive and egalitarian society, focusing on
resolving problems of race, gender oppression, and
class disparity in the United States. Brown's latest
book is New Age Racism and the Condemnation of "Little
B." Elaine Brown is currently running for Mayor of
Brunswick, Georgia and, if elected, will become the
first black and the first woman mayor of that city.

Monday, October 10
9:00pm - New Age Racism 

Tuesday, October 11
7:00pm - The Left in America and the Significance of
Elections

9:00pm - Communism and Capitalism
Wednesday, October 12

7:00pm - Ongoing Racism in America as Reflected in New
Orleans

9:00pm - Black Women and Feminism in America
 
Laura Haber
Program Coordinator of Unit One
244-2317
****

CHRIS CHANDLER – LIVE PERFORMANCE

“Tales of a New American Revival”

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 8:00 P.M.
Admission: $5 - $10
Channing-Murray Foundation
1209 West Oregon, Urbana

Born in Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister, Chris
Chandler found his own way of spreading “The Word”. 
He takes the pulse of America, and then with equal
parts acidic irony and utopian idealism, casts his
prognosis to audiences at the rate of up to 250 shows
per year.

Part preacher, poet, huckster, wandering minstrel and
medicine show sideman, Chandler casts a spell over an
audience. He has recorded collaborations with Peter
Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary, The Austin Lounge
Lizards, Dar Williams, Anne Finney, and many others.

Chandler’s most recent album, American Storyteller,
marks Chris Chandler’s coming of age.  Mostly centered
around untold tales of American history, the album
captures the true essence of Americana that lives
between the asphalt rivers that often run through The
United States of Generica.

Utah Phillips said, “He is the best performance poet I
have ever seen”.

Visit: www.chrischandler.org

*****

If you missed Kathy Kelly's talk at the Sept. 16th
YMCA Friday Forum 
you can see it on UPTV on the following dates and
times:

October 13th at 7:30 p.m.
October 17th at 4:00 p.m.
October 26th at 4:30 p.m.

It is well worth watching if you haven't heard Kathy
recently.

****

Subject: AWARE Presents : working group planning
meeting

Dear Working Group Members:
The next Working Group Meeting time will be this
coming Wednesday evening October 12 at 7:30 PM.

We will discuss  plans for up coming events and
discuss new ideas for future AWARE Presents Events! 
We have several projects we are finalizing.  Your
input and ideas are welcome!

Hope you will be able to join the working group
meeting to be held at  2007 S. George Huff Drive in
Urbana!  (328-2789)

See you Wednesday October 12.

Thanks for your help as we plan and work together.

Jan & Durl Kruse


 
6. Past Week’s Events:

The Unity march was a successful event, and AWARE was
well represented. See more elaborate reports in the
Public I.



	
		
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