[Peace] minutes of 9/24/06 AWARE meeting

[Randall Cotton]

16 in attendance:

Finance Report:
CU Citizens check sent off $50
Peace Calendars are in.
$29.50 came in at Farmer's Market (down due to rain)
Paul Street $150 check to be made out today
current balance: $1737

Fundraiser at Jim Barrett's tonight
For AWARE referendum campaign
There will be 2nd fundraiser in October for the referendum campaign

Unity March:
October 7th, Bradley and Prospect, noon
This will feed into AWARE's Main Event and a tentatively planned picket in front
of News-Gazette over multiple issues (including insults to AWARE military
veteran by John Foreman and poor coverage of local issues)
Following all these events, 4:30PM reception with lots of food at the IMC in the
basement.

AWARE Presents:
Paul Street events:
He arrives Monday
Focus 580 AM 11AM Tuesday
lunch with Paul Street right after the WILL interview at Timpone's
 (let Mort know if you're interested)
1:30PM record program w/Stephen Hartnett
dinner at Jerusalem 5:15PM-6:30PM
  Jamie needs to know by Tuesday morning if you're coming so she
  can notify Jerusalem. $10/person family-style service
United Church of Christ 7PM on Tuesday
  we will be doing voter registration at the event

Karen Yarbrough events:
 October 17th Urbana City Council 7PM , televised by UPTV
 October 18th:
  Uni High 8AM
  Interview with Stephen Hartnett's radio program some time
  Campus/Community Rally noon on the Quad (Union south patio)
    introduction by Stephen Hartnett
  Meet & Greet Union 314B 1-2:30PM
 Flyer was passed around
  there will likely be a dinner social on the 17th as well

AWARE presents panel on U.S. Policy on Israel/Palestine:
Frank Knowles bowed out of organizing the panel
Panel reconstituted by Stuart and Gary
 Some comments from Michael Shapiro regarding an effective moderator and
assurances on conditions
 Ken Cuno, Fred Jahar, Jamal Nassar are other panelists
 10/26 7-9PM City Council Chambers, televised for UPTV or taped to be televised
 TJ Wilson is slated as moderator
 15 minutes position statements, Q&A after that

next AWARE Presents meeting this Wednesday 7PM at the Kruses, 2007 S. George
Huff Dr.

Anti-Racism/Court Watch:
Officer Myers comes up for next court appearance, 10/3 11AM Courtroom A (this
officer taser'ed at least one jail inmate).
Also, 10/27 there will be a Public Hearing at the Urbana City Council Chambers
regarding the way Champaign County Courts treats non-violent drug offender
cases. There is state legislation being proposed (the SMART Act) that provides
for a "drug school" alternative sentencing that allows for convictions to be
erased once completed by a convicted non-violent drug offender. CUCPJ is in
support. There is a statewide campaign for this legislation being spearheaded by
the Developing Justice Coalition, which will be in attendance at the public
hearing. Time is tentatively 5-7PM.

Counter-Recruitment
Central High - meeting with administrators - recruiters are given a short
leash - they're not allowed to roam. We would not be allowed to be there at the
same time as recruiters. We can, however, bring in materials. They assign one
counselor (Jennifer) to be the contact counselor to coordinate meetings between
students and military recruiters. We're requesting that she also hand students
our literature when these meetings are coordinated. No cafeteria, gym, class
access by recruiters (or us, either). More meetings coming with Urbana High and
Centennial High (already scheduled) and also in the works is Uni High.

Student Groups:
UIUC AWARE meeting tomorrow night. Possibility of an article in the DI by
UIUC-AWARE. There may be a voter registration initiative mounted.
Next meeting - TOMORROW night - 8PM room 215 Greg Hall on campus.

Neighborhood Canvassing:
Canvassing has started - May, Stuart and Karen in Stuart's neighborhood (Hessel
park area). Shara says there is interest in canvassing among some Uni High
students.

New Ideas:
cosponsorship request for Rachel Dietkus speaking event from Channing-Murray -
approved.

Cosponsorship of IDF Fall Human Rights Film Series approved (without funds).
Proposed contribution of $30 will be discussed next week.

Mention made of new 15-minute AFSC counter-recruitment.

Mention made of "My Country, My Country"

Ideas thrown around for how to screen various important films and videos around
town.

Upcoming events this week:

Paul Street Tuesday (see above)

AWARE student group meeting Monday (see above)

AWARE Presents meeting Wednesday (see above)

Big David Gill event - next Saturday, 10:30AM-12noon West Side park.