[Peace] [OccupyCU] CUCPJ Stands in Solidarity with James Kilgore.

Mon May 12 12:26:03 EDT 2014

It's obviously fatuous for Kennedy to suggest that "the UI shouldn't employ anyone with history of terrorism" - not only because it's a clear violation of academic freedom.  

Were that put into practice, all veterans of the Obama-Bush terror wars would have to be dismissed (as well as most of the political science department and the other ideological disciplines - history, sociology, etc.).

But I do think Kilgore has made a mistake in not speaking publicly about his politics, then and now. 

His silence contributes to the Obama administration's effective removal of awareness of its terrorism -  which is ongoing, in Europe, Africa, and Asia - from the consciousness of the US public.

All three of our Congressional representatives support it, as do all Democratic candidates for president.

Polls reveal that the US public is overwhelmingly opposed to the US government's war (as it was forty years ago), but any attempt to end the administration's terrorism (and the university's complicity) will have to be conducted as a public campaign, both electoral and extra-electoral.

"Qui tacet consentiret: the maxim of the law is 'Silence gives consent'" [Sir Thomas More].  

--CGE  

>> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2014-05-09/exclusive-kennedy-says-ui-shouldnt-employ-anyone-history-terrorism.html
>> 
>> "Exclusive: Kennedy says UI shouldn't employ anyone with history of terrorism
>> Fri, 05/09/2014 - 7:00am | Christine Des Garennes
>> 
>> "CHAMPAIGN — In his first public statement about James Kilgore, University of Illinois Board of Trustees Chairman Christopher Kennedy told The News-Gazette on Thursday that violence is no way for people who disagree with the government to conduct themselves in public discourse.
>> 
>> "That is one of several reasons given by Kennedy as to why Kilgore, a former member of the 1970s radical group Symbionese Liberation Army, should not work at the university.
>> 
>> "No one wants to stop an ex-felon from having a career, Kennedy said, but a public institution which receives a good portion of its funding from state taxpayers — and where students are learning to become leaders of a multicultural democracy — is no place for someone who was involved with a group that advocated overthrowing the government, targeted police and carried out a robbery that led to a murder..."
>> 

On May 12, 2014, at 10:48 AM, Ricky Baldwin via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> Right on!
> 
> Ricky Baldwin
> 
> ________________________________
> From: OccupyCU [occupycu-bounces at lists.chambana.net] on behalf of Brian Dolinar [briandolinar at gmail.com]
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2014 9:37 AM
> To: discuss-communitycourtwatch at lists.chambana.net; AWARE peace; occupycu; Planners Network UC; Carletta Donaldson
> Subject: [OccupyCU] CUCPJ Stands in Solidarity with James Kilgore.
> 
> Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice Stands in Solidarity with James Kilgore.
> 
> As a grassroots movement  working to address racial, gender, and economic injustices produced by our local criminal justice system, we have made one of our main efforts in recent years the prevention of new jail construction and the mass-incarceration mindset that goes along with it. Our ongoing effort has had remarkable success, thanks in great part to the tireless work and vision of fellow CUCPJ member James Kilgore.
> 
> In February 2014, a local right wing newspaper launched an attack against Dr. Kilgore, reporting as if it was news on his criminal background and political activities in the 1970s and questioning whether the University of Illinois―where he currently teaches―should employ him. Although in March a spokesperson for the University made a statement in support of Dr. Kilgore, in April in a private meeting with the University provost, James was informed without explanation that the University would not approve any future employment contracts with him.
> 
> We in CUCPJ see this treatment―the attack articles and his dismissal/firing without reasons―as injustices perpetrated not only against James Kilgore but all people with felony convictions who have paid their debt to society. We believe in building a multicultural democracy that includes the voices of those formerly incarcerated. Dr. Kilgore has every right to contribute to our community, participate in the democratic process, and assert himself as a citizen of Champaign-Urbana. We call for the University to reverse its decision and rehire James Kilgore. We also call on the community to sign the petition<https://www.change.org/petitions/phyllis-wise-chancellor-university-of-illinois-restore-james-kilgore-s-employment-status> supporting him.
> 
> An injury to one is an injury to all.
> 
> CUCPJ
> 
> For other articles see: Christopher Benson, "Kilgore case a potential ‘blow’ to academic freedom, equity"<http://www.chicagoreporter.com/kilgore-case-potential-%E2%80%98blow%E2%80%99-academic-freedom-equity#.U209UFcZrdX> and "In Kilgore case, process as important as outcome"<http://chicagoreporter.com/kilgore-case-process-important-outcome?fb_action_ids=10201974981958149&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.U2vBam7ZHSK.like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210201974981958149%22%3A784440984910155%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210201974981958149%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%2210201974981958149%22%3A%22.U2vBam7ZHSK.like%22%7D#.U209VlcZrdX>; Brian Dolinar, "Petition to reinstate James Kilgore: Educator, activist, and father"<http://smilepolitely.com/opinion/petition_to_reinstate_james_kilgore_educator_activist_and_father/>; Pete Brook, "After Rightwing Smear Campaign, University of Illinois Dumps Lecturer and Anti-Jail Activist"<http://prisonphotography.org/2014/04/29/after-rightwing-smear-campaign-university-of-illinois-dumps-lecturer-and-anti-jail-activist/>; Daily Illini, "Rehabilitation should allow for job opportunities."<http://www.dailyillini.com/opinion/editorials/article_aa28e64e-ca70-11e3-9397-001a4bcf6878.html>
> http://www.ucimc.org/content/champaign-urbana-citizens-peace-and-justice-stands-solidarity-james-kilgore
> 
> --
> Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
> briandolinar.com<http://briandolinar.com>
> 
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