[Peace] Minutes of weekly AWARE meeting 2009-08-02

[C. G. Estabrook]

	Minutes of AUGUST 2nd AWARE meeting are below,
	but first, the Upcoming Events Calendar:
	****************************************

Aug 8 (Saturday) 8AM-noon, AWARE's weekly presence at a local farmer's market 
("Urbana Market at the Square"), providing literature, expression (bumper 
stickers, buttons, etc.) and conversation to further AWARE's mission.

Aug 11 (Tuesday) 1PM, Urbana City Council Chambers, 400 S Vine St.  Taping of 
"AWARE on the Air" for UPTV to be broadcast later the same day.

Aug 11 (Tuesday) 10PM, UPTV (cable channel 6). Broadcast of "AWARE on the Air," 
taped earlier in the day.

Aug 23 (Sunday) noon-4PM "Quad Day" at UIUC -- AWARE will be present.

Aug 28-29 “Sweet Corn Festival” in Urbana – AWARE will be present.  Volunteers 
needed for the table: write <slevy at ncsa.uiuc.edu>.

Sep 5 (Saturday) 2-4PM Main St & Neil St, Champaign.  "The Main Event" -- 
AWARE's monthly street demonstration event. Largely focuses on opposing U.S. 
occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, but is open for anyone to join us either 
using one of our signs or one of their own.  We try to have a topical flyer to 
distribute to motorists and passers-by each month.

Sep 12-13 (Saturday-Sunday) Chicago, IL. "US Campaign to End the Occupation": 
8th Annual National Organizers' Conference. See: 
<http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?list=type&type=253>. AWARE 
participates in this campaign to oppose military aid to Israel and  is now 
officially listed as an endorsing organization for a letter to Congress on the 
matter. See: 
<http://www.endtheoccupation.org/downloads/FY2010BudgetOpenLetter.pdf>.  A 
formal letter has been sent by an AWARE member to Sen. Durbin regarding 
opposition to military aid to Israel and including a request to meet in person 
with AWARE.  We'll inform you of the date and place of the meeting: we hope you 
can plan to attend.

Oct 9-11 "Midwest Liberty Festival" at the Du Quoin fairgrounds in southern 
Illinois. "A non-partisan, non-factional event for liberty lovers and those who 
respect our Constitution and the Bill of Rights" -- including perhaps Cindy 
Sheehan; it should contain a substantial anti-war element. For more information: 
<info at midwestlibertyfest.com> and 
<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119830955184>.

	***

Minutes of 08/02/09 AWARE meeting:
  ******************************
News of the week was reviewed jointly and focussed on the largely ignored war in 
AfPak.  Is it a “quagmire”?

Treasurer's report: balance = $728.45, an amount not consistent with our 
many-tentacled conspiracy...

Working group reports:
******************
Main Event:
========
(AWARE's monthly street protest held at the intersection of Main & Neil 2-4PM on 
the first Saturday of each month). About a dozen people demonstrated on Saturday 
1 August 2009. Stuart and David had prepared a flyer on US/Iran relations.
Efforts should be made for a large turn-out for our first fall (and term-time) 
demo, on September 5.

Weekly Action
==========
Action described on the peace list, regarding Senator Durbin's role on an 
appropriations subcommittee considering $2.775 billion in military aid to 
Israel. See: 
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-July/022391.html.  Carol 
will prepare a statement & pursue a meeting.

AWARE Presents:
=============
(Organization of AWARE-sponsored events in the community.)  It is bruited about 
that that AWARE could organize an event to educate about the elections in Iran 
(and, perhaps more importantly, the US policy vis-a-vis Iran).

Anti-Racism:
=========
(AWARE's efforts to keep apprised of and provide support for 
anti-racism/anti-discrimination efforts, including efforts of CUCPJ 
--Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice) A report was received on the 
Safe Haven Tent City's removal from the Catholic Worker House in Champaign. It 
was relocated to Tin Cup campground in Mahomet for a week. Some talk on the 
matter at the Champaign City Council meeting.

AWARE on the Air
==============
(AWARE's weekly television show  -- Tuesday nights at 10pm on cable channel 6, 
Urbana Public Television)  Taping typically occurs each Tuesday at 1PM in the 
Urbana City council chambers. Members and friends of AWARE are invited to 
participate.

Farmer's Market
===========
(AWARE's weekly seasonal presence at the Urbana "Market at the Square" – aka 
"Farmer's Market.") Schedule established. Volunteers needed, as above.

Blackwater
========
(Activism regarding notorious domestic policing and international mercenary 
contractor Blackwater, including coordination with Illinois-based activist group 
Clearwater: see: http://www.noprivatearmies.org )

Student Groups
===========
(AWARE's efforts to keep apprised of and provide support for local chapters of 
student-affiliated anti-war groups such as Campus Anti-Network, International 
Socialist Organization, and Iraq Veterans Against the War). 2009 QUAD DAY at 
UIUC will be Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:00 – 4:00pm; Karen will arrange an AWARE 
presence.  Volunteers needed, as above.

Monthly Message
  ============
(Efforts to propagate the content of the Main Event monthly flyer through 
various media channels.)  Carl has sent a fulminous 250 words to the 
News-Gazette.  Others are encouraged to.

AWARE Films:
  ===========
(Organization of film and video showings in the community)  A showing of "Who 
Killed the Electric Car?" tonight.

Old Business
  **********
(New developments regarding ongoing issues)

New Ideas
  ********
(Never before discussed ideas brought up during this meeting)
An announcement of the availability of AWARE speakers and discussion leaders is 
being placed on the local Craigslist.
Martin Smith will speak on a trip to Gaza 13 September, place to be announced.

Recent Events
  ***********
July 16 (Thursday) First Mennonite Church (adjacent yard), 902 W. Springfield 
Ave, Urbana.  Statewide-coordinated "Vigil for Reform at Tamms Supermax Prison." 
AWARE was a co-sponsor. Will be shown on UPTV.

A ridiculous talk at the mosque last Friday on the topic, "From Palestine to 
Pakistan: Prospects of the Obama Strategy to Manage Disorder [sic]."

Conrad hosted across-country walker on abolition of world slavery.

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