[Peace] meetings / county jail expansion study session / reading group / film on undocumented youth / peace demonstration / social get-togethers

[Karen Medina]

Upcoming Peace Events : meetings / county jail expansion study session
/ reading group / film on undocumented youth / peace demonstration /
social get-togethers

Mondays,
Outreach meeting for OccupyCU
7:30pm
Independent Media Center, 202 S. Broadway, Urbana

Tuesday, January 31 at 6:00 pm.
expansion of the Champaign County Jail, County Board Study Session
Champaign County Board
There are many reasons to be opposed to the expansion of the county
jail; here are some highlights:
- We should be looking for ways to decarcerate people in Champaign
County (implementing diversion programs, expanding mental health &
substance abuse services, etc.) rather than incarcerating more people.
- Although they represent only 12% of the overall population in
Champaign County, African-Americans represent more than half of the
population currently incarcerated in the county jail.  Expanding the
jail facilities will only increase the disproportionate number of
African-Americans incarcerated in our county.
- The county is already $55 million in debt due to the expansion of
the county nursing home.
- Expanding the jail will divert resources from existing county
initiatives that reduce incarceration, like the expansion of county
mental health services.
- The Sheriff plans to rent part of the expanded jail to the federal
government, which will lead to increased immigration detention in
Champaign County.
at Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 E. Washington, Urbana, IL,
61802.  Public comments are at the beginning of the meeting, so please
come promptly at 6:00 pm.

Wednesdays
reading group about the prison system
7pm
IMC, meeting room in the basement, 202 S Broadway Ave, Urbana, Illinois

Wednesday, February 1
7 p.m.
Film and discussion: Papers: The Story of Undocumented Youth”
Channing Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon, U.
Free and open to the public; light refreshments are served
"Papers" is the story of undocumented youth and the challenges they
face as they turn 18 without legal status.  65,000 undocumented
students graduate every year from high school without “papers. ” These
are young people born outside of the United States who were educated
in American schools, hold American values, know only the U.S. as home
and who, upon high school graduation, find the door to their future
slammed shut.  It is against the law to work or drive. It is
difficult, if not impossible in some states, to attend college. They
live at risk of arrest, detention and deportation to countries they
may not even remember. Currently, there is no path to citizenship for
these young people.   Community organizations around the country,
including here in Champaign-Urbana, are working to change immigration
policy on behalf of these young people.


Peace Demonstration
Saturday, February 4, 2012,
2pm-4pm
downtown Champaign: corner of Neil St and Main St
Good time to come out because:
Feb. 4 is also the national Day of Mass Action to Stop War on Iran

Occupy pre-demonstration Lunch!
Saturday, February 4 at 12:30pm
Guido's Bar & Grill , 2 E Main St, Champaign, IL 61820

Occupy C-U Monthly Social get-together
Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00pm
Esquire Lounge, 106 N. Walnut St., Champaign, Illinois