[Peace] AWARE Minutes for 27 August 2006

[C. G. Estabrook]

AWARE Minutes for 27 August 2006

May facilitated. Carl took minutes.

[1] NEWS OF THE WEEK.  (Posted separately ... perhaps.)  The theme was 
the USG attempt to cover its imperial ambitions, especially in the ME, 
with the excuse of the "war on terrorism," which began with the Reagan 
administration, and so long-predates the 9/11/2006 attacks.

[2] INTRODUCTIONS. Attendance was seventeen.

[3] FINANCES.  Jan reported that the treasury stands at $2470.50; the 
table at the Sweet Corn Festival (August 25 & 26) brought in $73 and 
$270 respectively on the two nights.

*IT WAS AGREED after discussion that the referendum yard signs will be 
made available for a donation, rather than a flat price.

[4] WORKING GROUPS

	[A] MAIN EVENT.  The next regular demonstration in downtown Champaign 
is September 2.  The blue referendum fliers will be distributed.  Durl 
will see that more are available.  There will also be fliers for the 
upcoming "Eyes Wide Open," which will be September 6 on the UIUC Quad.

	[B] FARMER'S MARKET. Sign-up sheets were passed around.

	[C] BILLBOARDS. Durl read an appropriately nettled letter to the local 
billboard monopolists.  He was encouraged to post it to the mailing list.
	Ricky announced that several fund raisers for referendum publicity, to 
be held in sympathetic residences, were being planned.
	Jamie announced that the bus advertisements were available by the 
month, form the first or the fifteenth.
	
*IT WAS AGREED after discussion that AWARE purchase two months' worth, 
from September 15, at an estimated cost of $419.

	[D] AWARE PRESENTS. The next meeting for the WG will be 7pm Monday 28 
August at the Kruses'.  The WG has received a proposal from a 
non-member, Frank Knowles, for a series of fora on what US policy in the 
ME should be; his suggestions will be discussed at that meeting.
	Paul Street will be here September 26.
	Representative Karen Yarbrough will be here October 17 and 18. She is a 
state rep from Broadview Illinois (7th District) 
<http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=94&MemberID=975>.

	[E] CHURCH PRESENCE.  The WG is writing to the the Vineyard to ask for 
a statement from them in writing, they having indicated that they were 
not interested in discussion but would state their views.  They will be 
the object of a Church Presence on Sunday 10 September; arrangements 
will be made for coverage by the N-G.

	[F] ANTI-RACISM/COURTWATCH. Randall reported on recent court events and 
a coroner's inquest on a jail death.
	C-U Citizens are raising money for the legal fees of Patrick Thomas.
	The state traffic stop reports are discussed in a recent N-G article, 
which will be posted tot he mailing list.
	Randall announced that several local citizens were being invited to the 
WG for advice on what to do.

	[G] COUNTER-RECRUITMENT.   The next meeting for the WG will be 6pm 
Wednesday 30 August at Mort's.
	--at Parkland, it's necessary to find students to sponsor c-r events; 
the parkland Quad Day is Friday 1 September.
	--at Centennial HS, AWARE is welcome to provide information for 
teachers; a "Teachers' Planning Calendar," thoughtfully provided by the 
US Navy, was circulated.
	--at UIUC, a meeting of the AWARE student group will be held Wednesday 
6 September.

	[H] CANVASSING.

[5] OTHER RECENT EVENTS.   The first meeting of the local IWW branch was 
Saturday 26 August, with an attendance of a dozen; the Jobs with Justice 
rally last week was covered well by the DI (q.v.) but not at all by the 
N-G (quelle surprise).

[6] UPCOMING EVENTS

	--AWARE (or at least five members) is invited to a press screening of 
the film "9/11" at the Art Theatre, noon Wednesday 30 August.
	--Habari Connections (Tanya Parker) <writehabari at yahoo.com>.
	--Potluck at the Kruses', 6:30pm Saturday 2 September.
	--Labor Day Parade Monday 4 September.
	--Eyes Wide Open Wednesday 6 September on the UIUC Quad
	--Paul Street: radio interview on Focus 580, WILL-AM 580, Tuesday 26 
September; presentation, "The Repair of Broken Societies Begins at Home" 
7pm Tuesday 26 September 26 at the Community United Church of Christ, 
805 S. 6th Street, Champaign.

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