Resources > Meeting Minutes
AWARE Minutes October 5, 2003 1. News of the Week - Carl Estabrook. 2. Coalition for Citizen Police Review. Flyers and proposals were distributed. There is also a proposed ordinance and a mock complaint form. There is much support for a board on the Urbana City Council, but they need visible public support to be able to appropriate funding. The Champaign City Council is not likely to support it. They may also try to get a board at the county level. The Board would have limited powers since it would be advisory to the City Council and the Chief of Police. For more information or to help out, contact cprb@lists.cu.groogroo.com. 3. Peter Roloff's visit to Tolono High School. Tolono is a white farming community. He spoke to an expanded current affairs class on the War in Iraq. He was preceded the day before by a pro-war speaker, Mark Thompson. Most students thought that Saddam was connected to 9/11. They watch Fox News. Half supported war on Iraq and half against. The most productive part was a discussion around terrorism as crime, not act of war. Ways to work with more high schools will be taken on by the Speaker's Bureau Working Group after the meeting. 4. Prospect for Peace. We had about 35 folks, and the Bikers for America had about 20 in support of the war. We gave out about 200 flyers. It was mostly peaceful but silly string was thrown at us, and several cars were painted and silly stringed. Those who had painted cars are urged to report this to the police. We need to always bring a camera and a cell phone. We need to call the Champaign Police to let them know of our coming plans for Oct. 25th and the first Saturday of November. Oct. 25th is the national day of protest, and we need to get a big turnout. Peter will make a special flyer. We should have a sign-making party. Some will go to DC. There will be a working group to take on the Oct. 25th events, including security. 5. Farmers Market. Few people came to the market compared to the usual number. This was also true in the number who came to the AWARE table. We collected only $30. Peter asked for more volunteers to sit at the table. 6. Finances. We have $2,198.02 7. Events of the past week. Kathy Kelly's 7 talks in 2 days. She was remarkably good and successful. The Town Meeting had a good turn-out, almost all on the peace side. They had a hard time finding pro-war speakers who would agree to talk. Muhammad al-Heeti's talk was last, and he spoke from the heart and showed moving slides. Immigration Freedom Ride rally. Several hundred people from diverse groups attended. There was much positive energy, and there was good national coverage. Meridith has safely arrived back in Guatemala. The Public i is out. They need volunteers. Meetings are Thursdays, 5:15 at the IMC. There was a talk on neo-liberalism. Lisa will investigate doing something similar for us. 8. Upcoming events. Noam Chomsky. At ISU, Bloomington, Braden Auditorium, Tuesday, 7 PM. David Green is offering rides leaving at 1 PM. Observing War Crimes. Wednesday at Illinois Program for Research on the Humanities. Also panel on Thursday, 4 PM at the Law School. Latin American and Caribbean discussion. Wednesdays at noon in the International Studies Building. Anti-Columbus Day rally. October 10th, 11:30 AM to 2 PM outside Henry Administration Bldg. School for Designing a Society House Theater. Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, 8PM, 122 Franklin St., Urbana, off Broadway, North of University. Suggested donation of $10 but sliding scale, Refreshments, Seating is limited, reservations at 384-0299. Progressive Hip Hop. Wednesday at the Canopy Club. AWARE Anti-Racism Working Group. Meets tomorrow night, 9 PM at Al's place.