[Peace] minutes of yesterday's July 2, 2006 AWARE meeting

[Randall Cotton]

REMINDER: There is a meeting of AWARE Presents *tonight* 7:30PM at 2003 George
Huff Drive.

minutes of yesterday's July 2, 2006 AWARE meeting:

Attendance: 20-25

Carl Estabrook provided his usual review of the week's news, already posted
separately.

New ideas:
-----------

David K.'s idea of starting an AWARE-affiliated student group was revisited.
Recently, we've come across several potential interested students at our events
such as the monthly One Main demonstration and Taste of Champaign, some
particularly interested in counter-recruitment.

The point was raised that if we're going to move forward, a working group needs
to be formed and a meeting held.

It might be difficult to engage students during the summer, but we are coming
across multiple potential contacts.

We had a counter-recruitment working group in the past, but it's a bit out of
steam at the moment.

The suggestion was made for counter-recruitment meeting soon.

Ricky expressed interest in contacting the interested students we've come across
to propose a future meeting, perhaps in August, and maybe find some momentum on
this idea.

Mention was made of another AWARE member's (Jan) interest in counter-recruiting
at Parkland.

Some confusion as to whether the interest of these folks is counter-recruiting
or more broad-ranging.

A related new idea: an AWARE-sponsored anti-war music/festival event for
students in the future.

Another related new idea (brought forth at the end of the meeting) - offering
prizes for high school artwork, music or
essays - as an assignment - as an avenue for awareness and dialogue in the high
schools.

Another new idea: Annette reminds us that a professor that was here from Eastern
Illinois University - Ken Culton - wanted a speaker to come to his class that
he's teaching here in Champaign this summer. The contact with him was around two
weeks ago at Farmer's Market. Randall and Linda volunteer to go (Ricky too, if
he's free), Annette volunteers to make contact.

New idea: Ricky volunteers to contact Arab Student Association President
regarding the proposed cooperation on an October 28th demonstration against
occupation. The associated International Answer call to action that perhaps
inspired ASA's proposal is at:

http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7836

Their proposal, as sent to aware at anti-war.net follows:


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Arab Student Association at UIUC" <asa.uiuc at gmail.com>
To: <aware at anti-war.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 9:37 AM
Subject: [Aware] Oct 28: National Day of Action


: Hi to all my fellow anti-war activists,
:
: I am the President of the Arab Student Association at UIUC (you may remember
: me from the Palestine Awareness Week that we held).  I recognized that on
: the 28th of October, many protests will be held across the nation to call
: for an end to the occupations in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti, and everywhere else
: (according to ANSWER  http://www.internationalanswer.org/).  I would love if
: we could work together, and ask many other organizations for support, to
: hold a large protest that day on campus.  If we could have some kind of
: march and end up on the Quad, I think that would be really successful
: (something like what the Latino community did concerning the immigration
: acts).  I know it is really early to start taking action with this, but I
: always say "the earlier, the better".  I guess it is just something to think
: about, and maybe once school starts we can start asking other organizations
: for their help and support.  Please let me know if you would like to work
: with us to organize such an event.  Thanks a lot for your time and efforts
: in our aide!
:
: Lina El-Beshbeeshy
: ASA President
:


Finance:
--------

current balance: $1803.50


July 4th Float:
---------------
Ricky has the wagon at his place.

Helpers needed! 10AM Tuesday morning at the IMC for float assembly.

Marchers should arrive 1PM between Busey and Lincoln on Oregon

Our float number is 42. A map was passed around of all the float starting
positions. Our float will feature the big billboard we constructed advertising
the impeachment and troop withdrawal referendums on the ballot this fall. Our
lawn signs will also be featured. Our theme (written on banners) is "Defending
the constitution against the White House".

Billboards
------------
There is a new stance from Rick Mills, local manager of Adams Outdoor
Advertising. He talked with corporate headquarters in Atlanta regarding design
he put together for us (which many of us found acceptable), but the response was
an objection that we weren't a 501(c)3 organization, so we would have to pay
full price. Bob I. is looking into whether the IMC would sponsor instead. Durl
checked federal law and saw that though a 501(c)3 can't advocate/oppose an
election candidacy or legislation, those don't seem to apply to our billboard.
Durl suggested the possibility of adding "You Decide" to the billboard to maybe
overcome objections by prospective 501(c)3 that might sponsor it. Suggestion was
made to check how the Muslim women got their billboards up. It seems that
perhaps another group elsewhere in the country ("Move Up") did get the public
service rate from AOA though they weren't 501(c)3. Point was raised that we
could still pay full price - and a fundraiser would provide publicity and raise
awareness, so perhaps that shouldn't be ruled out. The billboard would need to
be up last 3 weeks in October, first week in November (the month preceding the
election). It was suggested we get assurance on the location of the billboard.

Farmer's Market
-----------------
Sign-up sheet for next 4 Saturdays passed around. Gary and Jamie will set
up/take down next Saturday and also on the 29th. A comment was made about a
Veteran who was considering a bumper sticker for their truck that will be in the
American Legion float on July 4th. Referendum lawn signs are selling well yet.

One Main demonstration
-------------------------
Yesterday's turnout was good - we got  2 or 3 brand new folks. We passed out
almost all the flyers, the remaining were left at the Art Theater.

AWARE presents
------------------
Meeting scheduled 2003 George Huff Dr. 7:30 Monday, July 3. Paul Street
responded favorably for a proposed event - action required on our
part. Karen Yarbrough (state representative from Maywood - introduced
impeachment initiative last Spring and will try again in Fall) is also willing
to come in September and October - action also required here. Kim Abel is
confirmed for August 10th, 7PM Urbana Free Library (or perhaps a larger venue)
with other possible events as well.

There is also a second (tentative) meeting of AWARE presents scheduled for July
11, so mark your calendars.

Church Presence
------------------
DOVE (Dedicated Ongoing Vineyard Engagement). In planning the next presence at
Vineyard, contact was made with the executive pastor, Ben Hoerr and an
invitation was extended to us to meet with him regarding Annette's dismissal as
an 8-year Vineyard employee due to her activism as well as AWARE's presences.
Meeting scheduled for 10:30AM Monday morning.

Next church presence date/time unknown at this point.

Annette expresses appreciation that AWARE exists - it has helped her find folks
she can relate to and helped her to live out her faith

An ex-Vineyard member was present and called Annette's firing outrageous and
said they were very angry.

The News-Gazette is interested in covering our next church presence.

Anti-Racism
-------------
Patrick Thompson's trial starts July 5th 9AM in Courtroom A. Judge will be Harry
Clem. Remember courtroom rules - no shorts, dress conservative, arrive early
(otherwise you will not be admitted).

There is an article in today's (Monday's) News-Gazette on the trial:

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/07/03/retrial_in_home_invasion_sex_abuse_case_set_to_begin

Events of the past week:
-------------------------
AFSCME demonstration - 400 people or so. They've been working without a contract
for some time. Take it or leave it offer tendered by the University. Very good
demonstration, noisy, energetic - entered Swanlund building occupied. More
demonstrations on the way.

It was noted that AFSCME gives to Tim Johnson, but not David Gill.

It was noted that the new Applebees is perhaps being built with non-union
labor - pickets have been spotted.


Upcoming events:
------------------
WEFT election ballots have been sent out. It was suggested people keep track of
their ballot numbers for spot-checking the results.

NOW PLAYING at Boardman's Art Theater - An Inconvenient Truth - AWARE
member-reviewed as a powerful, extremely important film.

July 3 (Monday), AWARE Presents meeting, 2003 S. George Huff Drive, Urbana,
7:30PM

July 4 (Tuesday), 10AM helpers needed to assemble AWARE float at the IMC. 1PM:
marchers should arrive for the parade at the staging site between Busey and
Lincoln on Oregon. We are Float #42.

July 5 (Wednesday), 8:30AM (trial starts at 9, but there is no late admittance
and it can take time to get through security) Patrick Thompson trial begins.
Champaign County Courthouse courtroom A, (3rd floor).

July 7 (Friday), 8PM at the IMC - "The Hardest Question Ever" by touring group
"The Indicator Species", a shadow puppet show about prisons and violence in our
communities. Donation suggested.

July 11 (Tuesday) *tentative* AWARE Presents meeting, 2007 S. George Huff Drive,
Urbana

August 10 (Thursday)  Kim Abel, nurse who served in military psych unit in Iraq,
7PM at the Urbana Free Library (location slightly tentative - maybe larger venue
will be scheduled).

Next week's facilitator is Randall (who would gladly yield the privilege to
someone else, especially someone new 8-)

R