[Peace] Fwd: FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK

[Danielle Chynoweth]

Time for solidarity action. - Danielle

Begin forwarded message:

> From: <msmith46 at uiuc.edu>
> Date: December 10, 2006 2:29:32 PM CST
> Subject: FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK
>
> please forward widely...
>
> FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK AT UIUC
>
> RSO threatened by university library staff for distributing anti- 
> war material (see details below)
>
> WHAT CAN YOU DO?
> -We need your support in order to help expand the amount of space  
> available for registered student organizations (RSOs), campus  
> unions, and Champaign-Urbana community members to table on campus.
> -We wish to see the upper level of the Undergraduate Library Atrium  
> Plaza made available for tabling and distributing literature and  
> information.
> -If you or your organization is interested in lending your support,  
> please reply to Martin Smith at: msmith46 at uiuc.edu
>
> Dear friends:
> I want to bring to your attention a serious problem at the  
> University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and that is the issue of  
> free speech and the management of dissent on campus.
>
> On December 8, our REGISTERED student organization (RSO), the  
> International Socialist Organization, set up a table to pass out  
> anti-war literature.  In particular, we were organizing for a  
> national mobilization against the war in Washington DC on January  
> 27 (details here: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/).
>
> Due to the frigid weather, including wind chill levels below zero,  
> we moved inside the top level of the Undergrad Library atrium  
> plaza.  This area is ideal for student organizations, as it is a  
> space that is not utilized, open, and heavily trafficked.  The  
> actual entrance to the library is downstairs, a location clearly  
> demarcated with electronic sensors to monitor for books that are  
> uncharged.
>
> Within 5 minutes of our setting up our small card table with signs  
> that read "Bring the Troops Home Now" and "Money for Jobs and  
> Education Not for War and Occupation," a library staff person came  
> upstairs to inform us that we were violating university policy.  At  
> this point, our group made a decision to take a stand.  We refused  
> to leave.
>
> We were then informed that the campus security would be called on  
> us for our "actions."  When I made my case to the library staff  
> member that we were not impeding access to the library entrance  
> which is downstairs, I was simply informed--"CAMPUS POLICY."  When  
> I asked why Expresso Royale, a coffee cart, was able to operate a  
> booth outside the library and profit off of students and yet we  
> were unable to pass out anti-war literature, I was told  
> again--"CAMPUS POLICY."  When I reminded the library staff person  
> that I had previously written letters to both the RSO, Library, and  
> University Reservations staff about changing their restrictive  
> "free speech" policy and providing more areas for RSOs on campus to  
> distribute literature during the winter months, having brought no  
> positive change, I heard once again--"CAMPUS POLICY."
>
> CHANGE "CAMPUS POLICY!"
> As long as our government is engaged in an illegal and immoral war  
> in which more than 655,000 Iraqis have died, according to the  
> British medical journal the Lancet, than we have a responsibility  
> to express our dissent in this country, including on the UIUC  
> campus.  We live during times that call for extreme actions due to  
> the extreme crimes against humanity being waged against the Iraqi  
> people.  We are faced with a government that is continuing policies  
> in our name that are flagrant violations of international law and  
> human rights.  If our organization was not in the correct "free  
> speech zone" as we attempted to raise our voices against the war-- 
> than so be it.
>
> We believe that our group was targeted not just because we were in  
> the incorrect "free speech area," but because the administrator did  
> not like our message.
>
> WHAT ARE THE RULES?
> Our organization had a permit to table at the Student Union  
> entrance on this cold and chilly day; however, we chose the Library  
> Plaza entrance site instead for good reason.
>
> Currently, there is only ONE indoor area in which RSOs may table  
> and distribute literature AND ONLY WITH A PERMIT.  That location is  
> the Student Union foyer.  In this area, there are three booths and  
> according to the staff of the RSO office, students must remain  
> behind the booths at all times.
>
> This is problematic for several reasons.  One, the Student Union  
> entrance is an "echo chamber," and it is thus very difficult to  
> have clear and thoughtful discussions with people whom we meet.   
> Two, students should not be restricted behind the booths which are  
> located nearly twenty feet from the main traffic in and out of the  
> building.  It is nearly impossible to actually engage in  
> conversations and garner the attention of passersby behind these  
> booths.  Three, and most important, a school with a student  
> population of over 40,000 should provide more than three booths and  
> ONE INDOOR SPACE for "free speech" on its campus, particularly when  
> winter temperatures are frequently below freezing.
>
> WHAT NEXT?--YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
> We hope that the University staff will revisit their "campus  
> policy."  The university must take seriously its commitment to the  
> free exchange and diversity of ideas.  The actions by library staff  
> to stifle free speech in an area that does not impede the business  
> or functionings of the university should be viewed as chilling  
> reminders of the times in which we live.
>
> Several weeks ago, a student was tasered by police at the UCLA  
> library for not carrying his university ID (watch video footage  
> here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g7zlJx9u2E).  The Patriot Act  
> authorizes the government to spy on and track our library records.   
> Moreover, the management of dissent on college campuses means that  
> we now have only ONE indoor area of "free speech" on the entire  
> University of Illinois campus in which RSOs can table and  
> distribute literature--AND ONLY WITH A PERMIT.  THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!
>
> If you are interested in requesting that the University allow more  
> indoor "free speech zones" for RSOs and other non-registered clubs/ 
> groups as well, please contact Martin Smith at: msmith46 at uiuc.edu
>
> Our voices of dissent must not be "managed" but should ring loud  
> and clear against the injustices and inhumanity committed by our  
> government.
>
> Until every troop returns from Iraq--RAISE YOUR VOICE IN DISSENT!
>
> In Solidarity,
> Martin Smith, PhD Candidate, History

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