[Peace] minutes of weekly AWARE meeting 2009-03-08

[Randall Cotton]

Minutes of 03/08/09 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)

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. As of March 2009, the
sign is installed in the lobby of the Urbana/Champaign Independent Media
Center, right next to the Post Office there in the building (202 S.
Broadway, Urbana).

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
----------------------------
**NOTE TIME CHANGE** Mar 10 (TODAY, 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). **NOTE TIME CHANGE** Contrary to prior announcement, AWARE on
the Air will continue to be recorded at 1PM for the time being (not
changing to 4PM as previously indicated)

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

**NEW** Mar 12 (Thursday) 7-10PM, Ballroom, Illini Union, 1401 W Green St,
Urbana
Change in the Middle East: The US, Israel, and Palestine (Speakers: Dr.
Norman Finkelstein & Mr. Ali Abunimah
Sponsor: Students for Justice in Palestine
"A New Direction in the Middle East: The US, Israel, and Palestine will be
a frank discussion on the proactive mindset regarding the Middle East that
is necessary in America, particularly after such a historic election. Dr.
Norman Finkelstein is an American political scientist and author of six
books. His research focus is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the
politics of the Holocaust. A graduate of SUNY Binghamton, he received his
Ph.D in Political Science from Princeton University. Mr. Abunimah is a
leading journalist and writer on the Middle East and Arab-American
affairs. His works have appeared in The New York Times and Ha'aretz among
others and he has made appearances on television networks including CNN
and BBC. He is the author of a book published in 2006 and is co-founder of
Electronic Intifada, a multimedia site with a focus on Palestinian
affairs. There will be a question and answer session following the
speeches."

March 15 (Sunday) 2PM, Channing-Murray Foundation, 1209 W Oregon
St, Urbana
AWARE Films showing of "Soldiers of Conscience". Made with permission from
the US Army, this documentary profiles eight American soldiers, including
four who decide not to kill and become conscientious objectors, and four
who believe in their duty to kill if necessary. Paul McGuire and Martin
Smith of IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War) will lead a brief
discussion following the 87 minute film. Refreshments served, open to the
public. Donations will be accepted so that DVD copies of the film can be
provided to local libraries. Co-sponsored by AWARE Films, Channing-Murray
Foundation, First Mennonite Church, Interfaith Alliance, Iraq Veterans
Against the War and Urbana-Champaign Friends Meeting.

**NEW** Mar 17 (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** Mar 17 (Tuesday) 10PM, UPTV (cable channel 6)
Broadcast of "AWARE on the Air", taped earlier in the day (see above)

**NEW** Mar 17 (Tuesday) 4-5PM, (location TBA)
Tentative event on campus with Phil Wilayto, who will be in town for a
presentation later in the day (see below). To be sponsored by the Persian
Cultural Association.

Mar 17 (Tuesday) 7PM, Champaign Public Library, 200 W Green St, Champaign
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 . This event is part of a Midwest book
tour. AWARE members met with Phil in December 2008 at the United for Peace
and Justice National Assembly Conference and his appearance here is a
result of that.

Mar 21 (Saturday) - March on the Pentagon, sponsored by the ANSWER
coalition. See pentagonmarch.org. There is bus service from Champaign for
this event (see below under Student Groups).

Apr 4 (Saturday) - National and International demonstrations on the
anniversary occasion of NATO's birth (60 years ago), MLK's "Beyond
Vietnam" speech and MLK's Assassination. Also, the date of this year's
NATO Summit. See, for example:
http://unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4027
http://stopwar.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1087&Itemid=235 .

Apr 4 (Saturday) 2-4PM Main St & Neil St, Champaign
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.

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. Speakers include
both Jeremy Scahill and Kathy Kelly.

*****
Minutes of 03/08/09 AWARE meeting:

About 10 in attendance (low turnout due in part to immediately preceding
Juan Cole event)

News of the week was reviewed jointly

Finance report: AWARE balance is: $1932.36
Verbal finance report

Contribution jar passed around

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.

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).

**NEW** The next Main Event is April 4. See details above in the Upcoming
Events Calendar.

**NEW** Turnout last Saturday was on the low side (due partially to late
reminder announcement). AWARE-customized flyer was passed out covering
Afghanistan, based on the Peace Action document at
http://www.peace-action.org/pub/factssheets/Afghanistan_facts.pdf. Traffic
was a little thin. Old Main & Neil site was scouted during the event and
recommended for next month's event.

**NEW** Stuart volunteers to create an AWARE Facebook page.

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 is close at hand - date being
worked out.

Current AWARE Presents event lineup:

**NEW INFO APPENDED** 1. 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. Phil Wilayto's appearance is now set for March 17 at Champaign
Public Library - see above in Upcoming Events Calendar for details. **NEW
DEVELOPMENTS** A private meal may be planned with organizers. WILL AM-580
Public Square announcement planned by Conrad. An additional campus event
may be put together by the Persian Cultural Association (see tentative
announcement above in the Upcoming Events Calendar).

2. 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** Criminal Nuisance Property ordinance: Report made of recent
Neighborhood Safety Task Force meeting
(see:
http://www.city.urbana.il.us?URL=/urbana/mayor/boards/neighborhood_safety/main.htm )
City Attorney largely monopolized discussion and was not receptive to
criticism. Name of proposed ordinance adjusted to "Chronic Criminal
Nuisance Property" ordinance. Some adjustments made in the definition of
nuisance activity. Dennis Roberts (Urbana City Council) and Esther Patt
(Tenant Union) have expressed opposition. Issue is apparently being put
off until after the election.

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** After prior indications that tapings would move from 1PM to 4PM,
AOTA will continue to be recorded at 1PM on Tuesdays. Another mention made
that participation is dropping off. Encouragement made for more folks to
join in. A couple more folks volunteer this week than in the recent past.

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 resignation of Erik Prince as CEO of Blackwater,
though he remains on the Board. For instance, see:
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/03/02-2 .

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).

**NEW INFO APPENDED** Campus Anti-War Network bus from Iowa will be coming
through Champaign to pick up folks who want to attend the March 21st March
on the Pentagon (see www.pentagonmarch.org ). There are about 20 seats
available. Cost may be as much as $100 each but will go down the more
seats are filled. More details at:
http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/archive/peace/2009-February/022033.html
**NEW DEVELOPMENT** All bus seats are now taken.

**NEW** Mention made of national demonstration occurring two weeks later
on Saturday, April 4. UFPJ is organizing this additional demonstration,
"Beyond War: A New Economy is Possible" (see:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4027 ). This date is
significant due to:
1. Anniversary of MLK's "Beyond Vietnam" Riverside Church speech (1967)
2. Assassination date of MLK (1968)
3. 60th Anniversary of NATO (to be marked by ceremony in Strasbourg,
France and Kehl, Germany)
4. This year's NATO Summit
5. International (especially European) protest actions also scheduled for
same day

**NEW** Suggestion that a WILL AM-580 "Public Square" announcement be
created to draw attention to Apr. 4th event and invite people to AWARE's
own Main Event demonstration (which also falls on April 4th next month).

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

**NEW** Carl has submitted a piece to the News-Gazette based on the flyer
we distributed at Saturday's Main Event.

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

Next planned showing is "Soldiers of Conscience" (see
http://www.soldiers-themovie.com/AboutFilm.html) at Channing Murray on the
15th (see details above in the Upcoming Events Calendar).

**NEW** Films may be shown within an IMC Film series. Discussion ongoing.

**NEW** "The Take" will almost certainly be shown in early May at the
Socialist Forum event being planned (based on the idea of a localized
"Social Forum").

Showings being considered for the future:

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

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

3. Tim Wise: On White Privilege. See
http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=137

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

Pursuit of meeting with Senator Durbin regarding his letter in support of
Israel during Gaza attack: Follow up attempts are planned to contact
Durbin after initial non-response. 3/1/09 update: Written response
received from Durbin, but making no reference to the meeting request.

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

(nothing new this week)

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

**NEW** Just-concluded Juan Cole event discussed. Estimated 70 in
attendance. Regarded as a successful event, though there was some
disagreement and disappointment with Cole's views in some respects.

**NEW** Mention made of film showing on campus ("Allah Made Me Funny") as
part of "Islam Awareness Week". One of the comedians spotlighted in the
film may be invited to campus.

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

Mar 10 (TODAY, Tuesday) noon, room 1080 (Lucy Ellis Lounge), Foreign
Languages Building, 707 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana
Aisha Lamb Sobh, Department of History
All in the American Muslim Family: the Ways and Means of Retaining
Religious Identity in Muslim Children in the U.S.
Sponsor: Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

**NEW** Mar 10 (TODAY, Tuesday) 6PM, Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 601 S
Lincoln Ave, Urbana
Meet the Chief ...
A presentation about the Peoria nation's history, services, and programs.
John P. Froman, Chief of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, and
Jason Dollarhide, Second Chief.
Sponsor American Indian Studies

Mar 10 (TODAY, Tuesday) 6-7:30PM Free Community Veterans Clinic at
Urbana-Champaign Friends Meetinghouse, 1904 E Main St, Urbana
As an outcome of AWARE's panel on PTSD in 2008, this free acupuncture
clinic was started in February 2009 and is held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
of each month. Credentialed professionals insert acupuncture needles into
both ears while recipients remain seated for 20-40 minutes. Much research
has shown the effectiveness of this treatment for stress reduction. This
free clinic is open to U.S. military veterans, current members of the
Armed Forces, or their immediate support network. Sponsored by
Acupuncturists Without Borders, www.acuwithoutborders.org .

Mar 24 (Tuesday) 6-7:30PM Free Community Veterans Clinic at
Urbana-Champaign Friends Meetinghouse, 1904 E Main St, Urbana
As an outcome of AWARE's panel on PTSD in 2008, this free acupuncture
clinic was started in February 2009 and is held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
of each month. Credentialed professionals insert acupuncture needles into
both ears while recipients remain seated for 20-40 minutes. Much research
has shown the effectiveness of this treatment for stress reduction. This
free clinic is open to U.S. military veterans, current members of the
Armed Forces, or their immediate support network. Sponsored by
Acupuncturists Without Borders, www.acuwithoutborders.org .

**NEW** Apr 14 (Tuesday)  6-7:30PM Free Community Veterans Clinic at
Urbana-Champaign Friends Meetinghouse, 1904 E Main St, Urbana
As an outcome of AWARE's panel on PTSD in 2008, this free acupuncture
clinic was started in February 2009 and is held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
of each month. Credentialed professionals insert acupuncture needles into
both ears while recipients remain seated for 20-40 minutes. Much research
has shown the effectiveness of this treatment for stress reduction. This
free clinic is open to U.S. military veterans, current members of the
Armed Forces, or their immediate support network. Sponsored by
Acupuncturists Without Borders, www.acuwithoutborders.org .