[Peace] minutes of weekly AWARE meeting 2009-02-1

[Randall Cotton]

Minutes of 02/01/09 AWARE meeting are below, but first, AWARE Volunteer
Opportunities and the Upcoming Events Calendar:

AWARE Volunteer Opportunities
----------------------------------
(various ways to volunteer in AWARE's work)

Wanted: Treasurer for AWARE. Do you enjoy the world of high
finance and handling large sums of money? (AWARE bank account usually
ranges between $1,000 - $2,000 MAX.) Being the AWARE Treasurer may be just
the volunteer opportunity for you. No experience needed.  Training done at
your convenience. It will take about 10 minutes to learn the job! Contact:
Jan Kruse, jandurl at comcast.net, 328-2789.

AWARE is considering moving our monthly demonstration venue from
Main & Neil in Champaign to a higher-traffic site. It would be helpful
for us to discover which intersections in Champaign/Urbana have the most
traffic to help us in that decision. A volunteer is needed to contact the
appropriate city department/official in both Champaign and Urbana to
obtain a list of and available statistics on, say, the 10 busiest
intersections in each city. It's probably a fair assumption that this is
tracked by both cities and that it's public information. For assistance,
contact Randall Cotton, recotton at earthlink.net, 351-8644/722-8470.

AWARE is helping search for locations to set up a portable electronic LED
display that reports (in a loop) various statistics on the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan (casualties, financial cost, etc.). Here's a video of the
sign going through a typical loop:
http://dart.ncsa.uiuc.edu/stuffed/slevy/costofwar-sign.mp4
Dimensions of the sign are: 50.3" L x 6.3" H x 1.7" W and it weighs 12
pounds. Full specifications are at:
http://www.bigbrite.com/product.aspx?id=78
The display could be set up anywhere indoors - home, business, event -
where it will be seen by many, for as long or as little as you like. If
you can volunteer to display the sign somewhere or have any ideas where it
could be set up, contact Barbara Kessel, barkes at gmail.com, 365-9473 or
Randall Cotton, recotton at earthlink.net, 351-8644/722-8470.

Help is needed with content creation and maintenance for AWARE's website,
anti-war.net. Technical experience (UNIX/HTML/CSS) required for
maintenance work (but not content creation) Contact: Stuart Levy,
slevy at ncsa.uiuc.edu, 351-9264/244-1543 or Randall Cotton,
recotton at earthlink.net, 351-8644/722-8470.

Meeting minutes: Someone is needed to share or take over meeting minutes
duty (preparing these notes each week). Help will be provided (as much as
necessary). Contact: Randall Cotton, recotton at earthlink.net,
351-8644/722-8470

AWARE publicity: Someone is needed to maintain AWARE publicity documents
(and arrange for copies, as needed). This includes our business card,
intro sheet for new meeting attendees and our general information sheet
for tabling events). All reproduction costs reimbursed, Help provided as
needed. Contact: recotton at earthlink.net, 351-8644/722-8470

Upcoming Events Calendar
----------------------------
**NEW** Feb 2 (TODAY, Monday) 7PM, 100 Noyes Lab, 505 S Matthews, Urbana
Israeli Consulate General Public Lecture
Illini Hillel presents Orli Gil, Israel's Consul General to the Midwest.
Hear what she has to say about "The Spotlight on Israel".
This event is FREE and open to the public.
>> Call for assistance << Flyering prior to this event at 6:30PM. See
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-February/021982.html

**NEW** Feb 2 (TODAY, Monday) 7PM, Room 319 Gregory Hall, 810 S Wright St,
Urbana
Eric Ruder travels from Chicago to speak on Gaza
Eric Ruder is a frequent contributor to Socialist Worker and International
Socialist Review. Sponsored by ISO (International Socialist Organization).
Also, see
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-January/021978.html .

Feb 3 (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
(see below)

Feb 3 (Tuesday) 10PM, UPTV (cable channel 6)
Broadcast of "AWARE on the Air", taped earlier in the day (see above)

**NEW** Feb 5 (Thursday) 7-9PM Lounge, Allen Hall, 1005 W. Gregory Dr,
Urbana
Cafe Intifada, an event dedicated to music, poetry, and art to express
resistance against occupation and injustice in general and specifically to
show support for the Palestinian cause. Refreshments will also be served.
Sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine

**NEW** Feb 6-8 (Friday-Sunday) Independent Media Center (IMC), 202 S.
Broadway, Urbana
IMC Film Festival. Showings include: "Citizens Watch"; "Sugar"; "The
Midwesterner"; "The Transient"; "Prelude"; "Firedancing"; "Proceed and Be
Bold!"; "This American Gothic", "And the Beat Goes On"; "DTEC". AWARE may
show "Blood and Oil" as well. Live performances by DJ Belly, Elizabeth
Simpson and George Turner, Zoo Improv Comedy. Full details at:
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-February/021983.html
.
**LOCATION CHANGE** Feb 7 (Saturday) 2-4PM University Ave & State St,
Champaign
This event was moved due to the ongoing closure of Neil St. just south of
Main St. Though Neil St. may be open to some traffic in one lane by the
time Saturday rolls around, at meeting time it was not clear either way
whether this was the case, so the location has been changed to last
month's site.
NOTE: This event is **NOT** on Feb 1 as incorrectly reported in prior
minutes.
The Main Event - AWARE's monthly (first Saturday of each month) 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.

**NEW** Feb 10 (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
(see below)

**NEW** Feb 10 (Tuesday) 10PM, UPTV (cable channel 6)
Broadcast of "AWARE on the Air", taped earlier in the day (see above)

**NEW** Feb 18 (Wednesday)  7:15pm, Channing-Murray Foundation, 1209 W.
Oregon, Urbana  (corner of Oregon & Matthews)
"Beyond Killing Us Softly: The Strength to Resist", a 33 minute
documentary about the image of women in advertising and how these images
affect women & girls in our society.  The film will be followed by a panel
discussion featuring local activists and academics speaking about these
issues, and what we can do to counteract these negative images. Free and
open to the public.  Refreshments will be served. This event is
co-sponsored by AWARE.

Mar 1 (Sunday) possible date for next follow-up to the "People's
Thanksgiving" potluck

Mar 6 (Friday) 11AM, WILL AM-580
This event is **NOT** on Mar 9 as originally announced in prior minutes.
Juan Cole as guest on Focus 580 with David Inge

Mar 8 (Sunday) 2PM, Urbana Civic Center, 108 E Water St.
Community-oriented presentation from Juan Cole: University of Michigan
Professor of History, author of Informed Comment blog at www.juancole.com,
and remarkably astute expert observer on Middle East affairs. Proposed
lecture topic: "Withdrawal from Iraq and the future of American security".

Mar 8 (Sunday) 1PM, WILL AM-580
Juan Cole as guest on Media Matters with Bob McChesney.
** THIS IS NOW IN DOUBT ** More info as it becomes available.

Mar 8 (Sunday) 5PM, WILL AM-580
Juan Cole as guest on "Keepin' the Faith" with Steve Shoemaker.

Mar 9 (Monday) 4PM, Levis Faculty Center, 2nd Floor.
University-oriented presentation from Juan Cole: University of Michigan
Professor of History, author of Informed Comment blog at www.juancole.com,
and remarkably astute expert observer on Middle East affairs. Proposed
lecture topic: "Iraq's provincial elections and what they mean for
relations with the United States".

**NEW** Mar 21 (Saturday) - March on the Pentagon, sponsored by the ANSWER
coalition. See pentagonmarch.org

**NEW** Apr 15 (Wednesday) 7:15pm, Channing-Murray Foundation, 1209 W.
Oregon, Urbana  (corner of Oregon & Matthews)
Kilowatt Ours": A Plan to Re-Energize America", award-winning documentary.
A timely, solutions-oriented look at one of America's most pressing
environmental challenges: energy.   Viewers will discover how they can
save hundreds of dollars annually on energy bills, and use a portion of
the savings to purchase renewable energy.  The film also explores mountain
top removal and other harmful by-products of coal & nuclear power.  The
film will be followed by discussion. Free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be served. This event is co-sponsored by AWARE.

Apr 18-19 (Saturday-Sunday), University of Illinois at Chicago
Tentative date and venue for the annual statewide conference of Illinois
Coalition for Justice, Peace and the Environment. See www.icjpe.org .
AWARE has attended in the past (when the conference was held in
Champaign).

Apr 24-27 (Friday-Monday), Stockton Unitarian Universalist Church,
Stockton, IL
Midwest Catholic Workers Resistance Retreat and Conference. Focus: is
Blackwater. Civil Disobedience at Blackwater's Jo Daviess County, IL site
being organized by Catholic Workers and Clearwater. Keynote speaker on
Saturday: Jeremy Scahill

*****
Minutes of 02/01/09 AWARE meeting:

About 12 in attendance (attendance low due to Super Bowl)

News of the week was reviewed jointly

Finance report: AWARE balance is: $1962.38
Finance report passed around for inspection

Contribution jar passed around

**NEW** The IMC will need AWARE to sign a year lease on rental of our
meeting space. An individual person will need to sign on behalf of AWARE
(making them technically liable financially for the full amount - $780).
No one has stepped up yet, but this is a requirement that must be met.

**NEW** Ratification by consensus without objection to continue renting
storage space in the IMC with the understanding that the rent is being
raised $5/month.

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).

The next Main Event is February 7 (not February 1, as incorrectly reported
in prior minutes - see details above in Upcoming Events Calendar). See
details above in the Upcoming Events Calendar.

**NEW** Still unclear whether a lane of Neil St.will be open or not.
Decision made by consensus without objection to hold this month's event at
the same site we used last month - University Ave and State St, regardless
of whether Neil St. opens up or not.

**NEW** Stuart volunteers to send out mid-week announcement to the "peace"
list.

**NEW** Flyer ideas:
1. Juan Cole event publicity - some concern expressed that it's too early
to publicize this.
2. ADC flyer: http://www.adc.org/PDF/gazaposter.pdf
3. Ha'aretz article on what it would be like to be born as a Palestinian
(David has this article)
Karen, David and Durl volunteer to help draft/produce a flyer with some or
all of the above material in time for Saturday's event.

No new information yet on Champaign/Urbana's busiest intersections.
Volunteer opportunity posted for this.

Library Resources:
=============
(Compilation of valuable reference materials w/strategies to make them
available in the community through various channels including local
libraries).

(nothing new this week)

AWARE Presents:
=============
(Organization of AWARE-sponsored events in the community)

AWARE Presents Working Group meeting anticipated in coming weeks.

**NEW** Public square spot (on WILL-AM 580) suggested for Juan Cole
event - Karen volunteers to contact folks and try to make it happen.

Current AWARE Presents event lineup:

1. Juan Cole events. March 8th and 9th - Sunday and Monday. See details
above in the upcoming events calendar. More info as it becomes available.
Urbana Civic Center has been reserved for 1-5PM for Sunday, March 8th.

2. Phil Wilayto (author of new book "IN DEFENSE OF IRAN: Notes
from a U.S. Peace Delegation's Journey through the Islamic Republic" - see
http://www.defendersfje.org/dpi ). Phil is on a book tour and AWARE
members discovered him in December at the UFPJ National Assembly
Conference in Chicago, where he had a table. Phil requests only
reimbursement for gas money and a place to sleep. At the event, his book
will be available to AWARE folks at a much-reduced price, around $15 for
others. Date being worked out - anticipate sometime in 2nd or 3rd week of
March.

3. Jeff Monson, anarchist, Wobbly, UofI alumnus and a member of
the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Politically active, public with his
radical/progressive views, attends political demonstrations. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Monson . Inviting him as a speaker would
connect and carry weight with a completely different audience than AWARE's
usual events. Development of this event is in progress.

This event in doubt due to Jeff Monson's recent multiple arrests.

4. A panel on the occasion of the first 100 days of Obama
Administration (April 30) at Urbana City Hall (already reserved). UPTV
recording/broadcast planned.

Additional ideas under consideration:

- Invitation to Paul Street (suggestion: invite him for the 100 days panel
since he has researched and written on Obama extensively).

- Invitation to Stephen Kinzer to appear again.

- Invitation to William Blum

- Jeremy Scahill event still being pursued. Contact made, currently in a
"wait and see" pattern.

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)

**NEW** Mention made of Champaign County "Citizens Advisory Committee on
Jury Selection" - there is a need for people to serve on this committee.
Deadline for application has been extended. Details at:
http://www.co.champaign.il.us/newsrel/0812CitznAdvisJurySelection.pdf .
Application is at:
http://www.co.champaign.il.us/countybd/appointments/0812CitznAdvisJuryApp.pdf .

AWARE on the Air
==============
(AWARE's weekly television show on public access cable channel 6 - UPTV,
Urbana Public Television)

Discussion on who can make it this week. Some volunteered, more always
welcome.

Many "Aware on the Air" recordings are now available on-line. See the
AWARE home page at anti-war.net .

**NEW** UPTV is quickly moving toward making programming available online.

Taping typically occurs each Tuesday at 1PM and is broadcast later the
same day at 10PM. AWARE members (and friends) invited to participate - the
more the merrier (see details above in upcoming events calendar). Program
quality is always better with more participants.

There is always room for more participation in AWARE on the Air - prepared
statements OK. Arriving late/leaving early is OK.

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

**NEW** Mention made of Iraq Government's announcement that Blackwater
would be denied any further license to operate in the country. See
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/complete/la-fg-iraq-blackwater30-2009jan30,0,2775498.story

Student Groups
===========
(AWARE's efforts to keep apprised of and provide support for local
chapters of student-affiliated progressive and anti-war groups such as
Campus Anti-Network, International Socialist Organization, and Iraq
Veterans Against the War).

Three campus events of note this week:

Monday -  7PM talk on Gaza by ISO writer from Chicago at Greg Hall
(see full details above in Upcoming Events Calendar). Also see:
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-January/021978.html

Monday - 7PM Noyes Lab - Israeli Consul giving a talk, sponsored by
Hillel.
>> Call for assistance << Flyering prior to this event at 6:30PM
(see full details above in Upcoming Events Calendar). Also see:
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-February/021982.html

Thursday - 7PM Allen Hall Lounge - Cafe Intifada w/Students for Justice in
Palestine.
(see full details above in Upcoming Events Calendar)

Monthly Message
============
(Efforts to propagate the content of the Main Event monthly flyer through
various media channels)

**NEW** Letter to the Editor ready for submission to the Daily Illini, an
updated, expanded version of what appeared in the News Gazette.

**NEW** Letter to the Editor submission and rules researched for Chicago
Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Bloomington/Normal Pantagraph, thanks to
David..

**NEW** Suggestion: Invite others such as Paul M. or Belden to be part of
the Monthly Message working group.

News-Gazette to be contacted for details on submitting a Guest Commentary

AWARE Films:
===========
(Organization of film and video showings in the community)

Allen Hall film showing event may be in the offing, perhaps of "Blood and
Oil".

**NEW** "Blood and Oil" may be shown at next weekend's IMC film festival.

Possible future showings being considered include:

1. Another showing of Naomi Wolf's "The End of America".

2. "Blood and Oil". See: http://www.bloodandoilmovie.com/

3. "The Take". See: http://www.thetake.org/

4. "Soldiers of Conscience", documentary about soldiers already
serving that want to become COs (Conscientious Objectors). About 1:20
long. See http://www.soldiers-themovie.com/AboutFilm.html .
Channing-Murray has agreed to provide venue and the Quakers want to
sponsor. However,  rights to show it cost money - $80 ($250 if it wasn't
being shown by a religious organization). Some thought has been given to
splitting up the cost between groups. No formal request for AWARE funds
for the time being.

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

**NEW** Pursuit of meeting with Senator Durbin regarding his letter in
support of Israel during Gaza attack (as discussed last week). Meeting
request submitted by Mort on Durbin's website - no response yet. Will
escalate as necessary.

New Ideas
*********
(never before discussed ideas brought up during this meeting)

I. Request to co-sponsor documentary events at Channing Murray:

Wednesday, Feb. 18th,  7:15pm:  "The Strength to Resist  The Media's
Impact on Women & Girls." See details above in Upcoming Events Calendar.

Wednesday, April 15th, 7:15pm  Documentary film:  "Kilowatt Ours": A Plan
to Re-Energize America." See details above in Upcoming Events Calendar.

Co-sponsorship approved by consensus without objection.

II. Chris asks if there are others interested in making the DC trip (which
would depart Friday) for the March 21st March on the Pentagon (see
pentagonmarch.org). There may be a bus coming through from Iowa. March 21
is the first day of Spring Break on campus.

Events of the past week
******************
(comments/reviews of recent events since the last AWARE meeting)

(nothing mentioned this week)

Other Upcoming Events
******************
(events of note which aren't listed in the upcoming events calendar above)

**NEW** Feb 5 (Thursday) 7PM, Urbana Free Library, 210 W Green St, Urbana
Anouar Majid: "The Power of Heresy", Lecture and Discussion
Anouar Majid (novelist, professor of English at the University of New
England and the author of A Call for Heresy: Why Dissent is Vital to Islam
and America) will speak about the importance of questioning all
orthodoxies - religious, economic, and political.  Anouar Majid has been a
frequent guest on NPR and Air America .  He was also recently featured on
Bill Moyers Journal.

**NEW** Feb 10 (Tuesday) 4PM, Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum, 600 S
Gregory St, Urbana
CAS Special Presentation--Hope and History: Past and Present Burdens of
Race. David Roediger, Kendrick C. Babcock Professor of History. Drawing on
his new book, "How Race Survived U.S. History," Roediger captures past
moments when emancipation seemed imminent and assesses the weight of
history on the future we can make.