[Peace] AWARE minutes 5/22/2006

[Gabriel Stanton]

AWARE Minutes 5/21/2006
 
 
 
 1. News of the Week (10 minutes) Carl Estabrook gave us his take on news ideas missed or obfuscated by the mainstream media. For more in depth coverage tune in 6-7 PM on WEFT 90.1 FM during the normal Friday Forum slot.
 
 Linda Weber brought up a discussion about education. There a great disparity between the amount of time that children spent in school in the U.S. and in other 1st world nations. This seems to be linked to the U.S. lag in literacy rate and math and science education.
 
 2. Introductions (5 minutes) 17 people attended
 
 3. New Ideas: (15 minutes)
 
 Kim Abel nurse with Illinois Valley peace conference to speak at some point (see AWARE presents)
 
 AWARE agreed to co-sponsor the upcoming Friday Forum series at the University YMCA for $30, The events will take place at noon during the University of Illinois’s Fall 2006-2007 semester
 
 Linda and Joe Weber invited Dr. Gill over to their house for a coffee/discussion to talk about his upcoming campaign for the U.S. Congress. AWARE members and friends are encouraged to attend. He will be running against Tim Johnson in this November’s election.
 
 4th of July- the Theme is Broadcasting Our Freedoms 
 Some Ideas for Float
 Our we losing our freedoms? Compare and contrast post 9/11 American Civil rights and previous eras
 
 Flyering showing websites and media outlets that give independent news and criticism of mainstream media
 
 Image of hooded prisoner in Abu Ghraib showing how U.S. denies any freedom to others who aren’t even given fair trial
 
 Compromise between negative and postive. half of Flatbed with postitive images(independent media) and half with negative images.(Ideas volunteers still welcome. AWARE has a history of colorful and interesting floats) check out ucimc.org archives for good pictures.
 
 Billboards- 2 different ideas to welcome troops home after we AWARE was unsatisfied with last attempt.
 1.
 Silence Gives Consent
 
 
 Be Patriotic        (Dove Image)            End War Now
             Speak out for Peace and Justice
 
 
 2.             
 Vote Yes Nov 7.
 
 Bring Troops Home Now
 Impeach Bush and Cheney
 (Peace Sign)
 Wage Peace
 www.anti-war.net
 
 Cu Taste of Champaign (23-24) Table will be set up  for weekend long event and many opportunities will be available to help.
  
 4. Working Groups: (30 minutes)
 
 Finances- AWARE currently has $2,412.28 in the bank with few outstanding checks.
 
 Farmers Market- The second of this years Lincoln Square farmer’s market was more financially successful and the weather was more pleasant. Impeach Bush buttons made by Bob Wahlfeldt were big sellers. Next week Jan and Durl will set up the table at 8AM so they can relax one more hour.  
 
 MAIN Event- The monthly protest of the continued occupation of Iraq and other injustices will be at one main St. in Champaign from 2-4 PM.  Ricky suggested that signs be made addressing June as Torture awareness month.
 
 AWARE Presents-The Speakers Bureau has contacted Kim Abel a Nurse at Illinois Valley College and a peace conference who would talk about her experiences volunteering in the psych ward at Walter Reed Veterans Hospital and the stories of the soldiers returning from Iraq. This is an event that could be interesting to veterans groups and those considering joining the military.
 
 Church Presence-Pentecost June 4th,  We will visit the Newman  Center once again as ceremony for the current Monsignor’s depature begins.
 
 Counter Recruitment.
 Documentary film by Uni High students only aired a short clip of a statement by an AWARE member. It focused on the much less restrictive regulations of Military recruiters to students of Mahomet Seymour High School. Carl suggested sending counter-recruiters there. Others agreed action may be possible.
 
 Anti-Racism
 Patrick Thompson trial rescheduled to sometime in mid June(no specific date as of yet) Protest in front of Champaign County Courthouse 1 PM Wednesday. Last one well attended
 
 5. Last Week's Events (15 minutes for 5 and 6)
 
 Meredosida Workers' Benefit- This was deemed a success. $!,000 was raised for Locked out Meredosia Miners who were are organizing against unfair labor practices of Celanese Corporation Labor Troubadour Anne Feeney and Paul Kottheimer and Theory of Everything were well received by audience.
 
 Anna Balzer was well received and interview with her by Carl Estabrook is available as an audio file at newsfromneptune.com
 
 6. Upcoming Events
 
 Check out Carl Estabrook 6-7 PM on WEFT
 
 Sophie Scholl film about last days of German Ant-nazi activist at Boardman's Art Theatre on Church St. in Downtown Champaign.
 
 I agreed to facilitate next Sunday.
 
 Peace
 
 

		
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