News
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(updated 3/14/2008)
Winter Soldier II: Iraq and Afghanistan
Come to Lincoln Hall room 106 on Friday at 6:00pm -- or, see the Iraq Veterans Against the War web site http://www.ivaw.org/ for live internet streaming of the whole event, which runs Thursday 3/13 through Sunday 3/16.
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Live by satellite from Washington, D.C.
Friday, March 14th, 6:00-7:30 pm
Lincoln Hall, room 106
(excerpt from Socialist Worker article below)
MORE THAN 200 U.S. military veterans and active-duty troops from Iraq and Afghanistan will participate in a four-day event in Washington, D.C., to shed light on the atrocities committed by U.S. occupation forces.
"Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan" will take place from March 13 to 16 and is the largest and most ambitious event yet organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).
In addition to testimony by vets, the event will also drawn on the expertise of well-known authors, activists and journalists, such as Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, unembedded reporter Dahr Jamail, Iraq war experts Anthony Arnove and Jeremy Scahill, and GI rights activist Tod Ensign.
Topics to be discussed include the corporate pillaging of Iraq; racism and sexism in the military; the crisis in the military and veteran health care systems; the domestic cost of the "war on terror"; and the history and future of GI resistance.
But the main attraction will be dozens of soldiers and former soldiers who will provide personal testimony and video and photographic evidence of the daily violence committed by occupation forces. "Winter Soldier will expose the fact that it isn't the soldiers, but U.S. foreign policy that is criminal," said Martin Smith, a former U.S. Marine and member of IVAW's Winter Soldier organizing team. "We will corroborate the daily grind and the day-to-day reality of life under occupation."
[...]
Winter Soldier will provide an important correction to mainstream media coverage of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, which tends to fall into three main kinds of reporting, according to veterans.
Most stories focus on the violence committed by "the terrorists"--that is, anyone who resists the U.S. agenda in those countries. A second kind of story reports on the "collateral damage"--in which civilians are killed by U.S. forces--but is generally careful to point out that such episodes are relatively infrequent, and a regrettable yet inevitable feature of war.
A third type, IVAW members say, admits that there are war crimes and atrocities committed by U.S. forces--such as torture at Abu Ghraib prison or the massacre of civilians at Haditha--but claims they are acts of individual soldiers who have broken military discipline.
The Winter Soldier testimony will show that the main source of violence in these countries are U.S. forces, and that so-called collateral damage as well as massacres, murders and torture all flow from the same source--the war planners and military brass who set and implement U.S. war policy in the "war on terror."
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(updated 3/14/2008)
Taxi to the Dark Side
"Taxi to the Dark Side", a film about US practice of imprisonment and torture at Guantanamo Bay, opens at Boardmans Theater in Champaign on Friday 3/14. The film will probably be there for a couple of weeks.
Sat March 15, 7:30pm
(and other times over next two weeks)
Boardman's Theater, downtown Champaign
Let's go, those who can, to the Saturday 3/15 showing at 7:30pm. Karen Medina has arranged with the theater people: they will let us stick around awhile after the film to discuss it.
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(updated 3/14/2008)
Vigil to mark five years of war in Iraq
We will hold a vigil to mark the beginning of a sixth year of the US invasion of Iraq. This is a solemn observance, not a demonstration, so please no political signs.
Wednesday, March 19th, 5:00-6:15 pm
Urbana Veterans' Memorial
Broadway & Main, downtown Urbana
Wear dark clothes or a black armband if you have one. Come when you can.
Please spread the word to all who oppose this and other wasteful, destructive wars.
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(updated 1/26/2008)
The Middle East: A Humanity Misunderstood
(Learned of this when researching poet Naomi Shihab Nye, part of whose poem "The Red Brocade" we'd like to use on the buses. Edwardsville is about 160 miles from C-U but it might be worth going to one of these talks. -Stuart)
Understanding Cultures through Literature & Poetry: A Speakers' Series
poet Naomi Shihab Nye Tuesday, Feb. 19th, 7PM SIU Edwardsville's Morris University Center
"Whenever you love something or somebody, it means that you have to extend yourself, you have to grow get a little larger. You can' stay in your little comfortable spot. It's a challenge - it's a risk, and - whether it's loving another culture far away that has suddenly been represented by an act of violence - or whether it's loving another person - it always involves all kinds of growing."
- Naomi Shihab Nye - Author/Poet/Speaker
See the series brochure with all four speakers. Or, see: http://www.siue.edu/globalit/ .
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(updated 2/2/2008)
State's Attorney Candidate Forum
Scheduled to attend:
Wednesday, Jan. 30th, 6:00pm
U. of I. Law School Auditorium
504 E. Pennsylvania, Champaign
Alfred Ivy
Janie Miller-Jones
Julia Rietz
Ivy & Rietz are running in the February 5 Democratic primary. The winner will face Miller-Jones, who is unopposed in the Republican primary, in the November 4 general election. Julia Rietz currently holds the office of State's Attorney for Champaign County.
Sponsored by Champaign County ACLU (aclu-cu.org).
This event (now past) will be rebroadcast on UPTV cable channel 6 at:- Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- Monday, February 4 at 9:30 a.m.
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(updated 1/26/2008)
Monthly Peace Demonstration
Come to our monthly anti-war demonstration, on the four corners around Main & Neil in downtown Champaign. After nearly five years, we're still occupying and doing violence to Iraq, and we continue to threaten Iran.
Main & Neil, downtown Champaign
Saturday, Feb. 2nd, 2-4PM
Ground Hog Day
Think this is foolish? Misguided? Criminal? A stain upon our consciences? Come and protest with us!
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(updated 1/26/2008)
Stephen Kinzer
(This isn't an official announcement yet -- expect this blurb to be updated.)
on his nationwide tour for peace, speaks on US confrontation with Iran and the need for diplomacy
Sunday, Feb. 17th, 3:00PM
Latzer Hall, University YMCA
1001 S. Wright St.
From the peace tour web site, follyofattackingiran.org:The Bush Administration continues to deploy rhetoric of confrontation against Iran, including the threat of military force. Americans are being told that Iran is on the brink of developing nuclear weapons, supports terrorism, is helping to kill American soldiers in Iraq, and is determined to destroy Israel. Therefore, the reasoning goes, we must prepare to attack Iran. Stephen Kinzer, the award winning author and former foreign correspondent for the New York Times rejects this argument. He, along with a diverse group of other experts on Iran, Congressional leaders and military experts are traveling across the country to counter the message from Washington and to present options for a more rational foreign policy towards Iran.
Come hear Kinzer speak!
Sponsored by AWARE Presents, Just Foreign Policy, Program in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, ...
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(updated 2/2/2008)
Fundraising Dinner for Gaza
This is to announce the FundRaising Dinner sponsored by MAS Urbana-Champaign Chapter & Islamic Relief for helping the distressed brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine.
Sunday, Feb. 10th, 4:00 - 8:00PM
Urbana Civic Center
108 E. Water St.
Tickets will be available for sale soon, inshaa' Allah. Your participation and donation are highly appreciated by Allah and the people of Gaza. Please read below for the full details of the U-C event and check the add below for more information about the $10 Million-National Project of Islamic Relief for Gaza.- What:
- Fundraising Dinner
- When:
- Sunday Feb. 10th 08, 4:00- 8:00pm
- Where:
- Urbana Civic Center, 108 E Water St Urbana, IL 61801, US
- Tickets:
- $10 Students; $15 Individuals;
$ 25 Couples.
(Children's rate: Free under 5Y; $5 each 5Y-12Y; $10 each over 12Y)
Program:
Speaker & Fundraiser: Imam Johari AbdelMalik
Outreach Coordinator, Darul Hijrah Islamic Center, Washington DC
Talents Presentation about Palestine by U-C Youth
Babysitting program for under 10Y; Pizza, Drinks, Games & Activities
Ahmed Taha, MAS Urbana-Champagin Chapter, President
Palestine: The Need For Aid
Despite recent border closures and travel restrictions, Islamic Relief remains one of the few aid agencies actively distributing emergency aid to Palestinians. Since the Gaza power plant shutdown on January 20th, Islamic Relief has provided Palestinian families with hygiene kits, kitchen sets, blankets, food packages and water. During the week of January 22nd to the 27th, Islamic Relief distributed $40,000 worth of medical disposables to Gaza's hospitals, arranged $600,000 worth of necessary food items and distributed over 5,000 blankets to needy families in Gaza. An additional 12 truck-loads of aid are currently being distributed, with another 10,000 food packages being packed and readied for distribution over the next few days. Islamic Relief is doing everything it can to help the Palestinians during this dire humanitarian crisis. But, more help is needed from generous donors like you. Islamic Relief has launched a close to $10 million appeal to provide food, healthcare, and shelter in the worst-affected areas. Your help is desperately needed.
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(updated 2/7/2008)
Arabic Classes
Central IL Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC) is running another in its series of Arabic classes; the level of this one will depend on the students who sign up.
Saturdays, 5:00-6:30pm
Weekly for 10-15 weeks
Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center
106 S. Lincoln, Urbana (entrance on Busey St.)- Class time: Every Saturday from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
- Course duration: 10 to 15 weeks, starting Saturday, Feb. 9th
- Location: Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center,
106 S. Lincoln, Urbana. The entrance is behind the
building, facing Busey St.
Class will meet in Classroom B. - Course fee: $100. Make checks to CIMIC, with memo to "arabic class". Payment will be collected at the second class.
- Guidelines: Students are required to dress modesty and remove their shoes at the entrance, as the facility is also used for prayer.
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(updated 2/2/2008)
The Crisis of the "War on Terror"
In 2001, the Taliban quickly retreated under the assault of U.S. forces and their Afghan allies. But today, the U.S.-backed Karzai regime has little influence outside the capital, and the Taliban have regained their fighting strength. The U.S. is sending thousands more Marines to bolster the NATO occupation. Just across the border in Pakistan, the dictatorship of Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the "war on terror," may be on its last legs. Benazir Bhutto's return was George Bush's best hope of shoring up support for the regime. Her assassination shows that the U.S. is far from reaching the objective behind the war--controlling the region's political events.
What's behind US policy in Afghanistan/Pakistan?
Wednesday, Feb. 6th, 7:00PM Gregory Hall, room 215
Why is the U.S. so deeply involved? Why do so many in the regionoppose the U.S. presence? Has Bush really been out to fight terrorism and promote democracy? Do the Democrats offer an alternative? Come to this public forum to discuss these and other questions.
Featuring David Whitehouse - Frequent contributor to the International Socialist Review and Socialist Worker on Central and South Asia.
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(updated 2/2/2008)
Public Meeting about
For the past several years, the Champaign Unit 4 schools have been operating under a consent decree, which requires them to
Champaign Schools Consent Decree
Tuesday, Feb. 5th, 6:30 PM Urban League, Neil & Springfield, Champaigneliminate unwarranted disparities between white and minority students in academic achievement, discipline, assignment to special education and participation in gifted classes, among other things
(quoted from Jodi Heckel's 3/23/07 N-G article).
There'll be a public presentation about the state of compliance with this consent decree this coming Tuesday, Feb. 5th, at 6:30 PM, at the Urban League, Neil & Springfield in Champaign.
Among those speaking will be Prof. Robert Peterkin, the lead Court monitor; William Trent, Planning & Implementation Committee chair; and I think one other person, possibly lead plaintiffs' counsel Carol Ashley.
Unless extended, next school year (2008-9) will be the last one where the Consent Decree applies. How are they doing? What progress is there toward a plan for building an additional school in North Champaign? What will happen after the Decree expires? Should be an interesting meeting. The public is welcome.
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(updated 1/26/2008)
Primary Election Day
Besides the presidential candidates, we also have some contested local races, including:
Get Out and Vote!
Make sure your neighbors get out and vote, too!
- State's Attorney (Dem. ballot): Julia Rietz vs. Alfred Ivy III. Come hear them, and Republican Janie Miller-Jones, speak at the Jan 30th Candidates' Forum!.
- County Board District 6 (Dem. ballot): Giraldo Rosales/Wayne Williams/Eva Jehle/Pattsi Petrie.
There are also some interesting unopposed candidates. Note that Tim Johnson will have opposition in the fall.
And especially, don't miss the referenda. They may be on the back of a two-sided ballot. See the Champaign County Clerk's list of all referenda. Those up in Champaign and Urbana proper are:-
Restore The Level Of General Assistance Funding Provided To The Township (Champaign Twp. only)
Shall the voters of the City of Champaign Township ask the Township Trustees to restore the level of general assistance funding by actively pursuing any and all means available to them in order to preserve the health and well-being of individuals, children, families and adults living in extreme poverty in our Township? - Prevent War With Iran (Cunningham (Urbana) Twp. only)
Shall the voters call upon their elected representatives in Congress to pursue all available means to prevent war with Iran, including passing legislation that would explicitly prohibit the President from attacking Iran without Congressional authorization? - Call Upon Congress To Repeal Or Amend The Military Commissions Act Shall the voters ... call upon their elected representatives in Congress to do all in their power to repeal or amend the military Commission Act in order to restore the U.S. Constitutional right of habeas corpus and to uphold the internationally recognized rules of law, thereby preventing the cruel and inhuman treatment and the arbitrary and indefinite detention for all detainees held by the U.S. Government?
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Call Upon Congress To Limit Military Funding In Iraq
Shall the voters ... call upon their elected representatives in Congress to pursue all available means to limit military funding in Iraq to only what is required to bring all U.S. troops home safely? - Urbana Park District -- Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate (Urbana only)
(this one is long enough that I won't quote it here, but it asks for an increase of 0.25%, to .7783% of assessed value.)
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(updated 2/2/2008)
African-American Read-In
Monday, Feb. 4th, 7-8PM
Urbana Free Library
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(updated 1/26/2008)
Derrick Jensen speaks
Author Derrick Jensen (www.derrickjensen.org) will speak. He writes on the unsustainability of our industrial civilization, on the widespread violence it requires, about the natural world, about creativity. Among his books are "As the World Burns: 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Stay in Denial", "Endgame", "Strangely Like War: The Global Assault on Forests", and "A Language Older Than Words".
activist, author, small farmer, teacher & philosopher
Monday, Jan. 28th, 6:00pm
Illini Union room 314
Among the reviewers of Endgame is Howard Zinn, who said of him, "Derrick Jensen is a rare and original voice of sanity in a chaotic world. He has wisdom and wit, grace and style, and is a wonderful guide to a good life beautifully lived."
Should be interesting. Thanks to Carl for mentioning this on WEFT.
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(updated 12/05/2007)
COMMUNITY MEETING TO DISCUSS THE LOCAL TOXIC SITE
On Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m., the CU Citizens for Peace & Justice, in collaboration with the Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) and the UIUC Department of Urban & Regional Planning will hold a Community Meeting to discuss the toxic site at 5th and Hill Streets in the north end of Champaign, IL.
WHICH IS AT 5th & HILL STREETS IN CHAMPAIGN
Saturday, Dec. 8th, noon-2pm
Douglass Branch Library, 504 E. Grove St., Champaign
The meeting will address concerns of community health and environmental problems in the neighborhood associated with the site. Topics to be presented at the meeting include:
- Presentation of research findings regarding the site and neighborhood;
- Report on recent meeting between community members, Ameren IP, and City of Champaign regarding the process for developing a plan to remediate the site;
- Testimony from local neighborhood residents about their experiences and concerns;
- Plans to establish a coalition to ensure that community health and safety needs are met throughout the site remediation process.
- WHO:
- CU Citizens for Peace & Justice in collaboration with Champaign County Health Care Consumers and UIUC Department of Urban & Regional Planning
- WHAT:
- Community Meeting on Toxic Site at 5th and Hill
- WHEN:
- Saturday, December 8, 2007 - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- WHERE:
- Douglass Branch Library - 504 E. Grove St., Champaign
BACKGROUND:
The 3.5 acre lot at 5th Street and Hill Street in Champaign is a former manufactured gas plant (FMGP) site from 1887 until 1953. Gas was manufactured by heating coal, and then following a process to remove coal tar and other impurities. The coal tar and other production wastes were left on the site until the closing of the plant. According to information provided by Illinois Power (now Ameren IP) in 1990, the lightweight chemical compounds found in coal tar, known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), move easily through soils and are associated with various health problems.
Ameren IP has registered this site, and 24 other sites like it, with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under their Site Remediation Program (SRP). Under this program, Ameren agrees to clean up this site, with a cost estimate between $3 and $15 million dollars.
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(updated 12/02/2007)
Understanding Iraq
Iraq is often portrayed in a negative light in the mainstream corporate media. However, Iraq has a long and rich secular history dating back centuries. Come to this public event and hear Iraq Peace Activist Raad Ismail lay out the history, the people, and the culture of one of worlds oldest civilizations and understand the importance it plays today for US imperialism and why we say Troops Out Now!
Raad Ismail, Iraqi Peace Activist
Tuesday, Dec. 4th, 7PM, Lincoln Hall room 194
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network UIUC Chapter
Co-Sponsored by AWARE, Iraq Veterans Against the War, International Socialist Organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, La Casa Cultura Latina,
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(updated 10/27/2007)
"Mother's Response to War"
Further details to be settled at AWARE Presents meeting at Wed Oct 24th, 7pm, 2007 S. George Huff Drive, Urbana. There will be a flyer.
Monday, November 12th, 7pm (pot luck gathering there at 5:30 pm)
Urbana Civic Center, 108 E. Water St.
Cindy Kaylor, artist and mother, won't be able to attend but will send her artwork -- at least a piece called "The Decider Installation", and others if possible. Cindy has prepared a statement which Jan will read on her behalf.
Peggy Kovacic will share her testimony as a mother of two sons and a future daughter-in-law currently in the military. Her words at the AAEI event last August were very inspiring. She will most likely expand on that presentation.
Katy Zatsick (of Chicago) will also be a part of this event. Katy will read poetry and speak regarding her son and the injuries incurred during military service in Iraq, and his recovery at Walter Reed.
We have invited some other mothers who will attend and support the presenters. Some IVAW members also plan to attend.
Co-sponsorships are welcome. IVAW, CAN, and the Friends Meeting have already agreed to cosponsor.
Contact: Jan Kruse, jandurl {at} insightbb.com, 217-328-2789.
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(updated 10/27/2007)
Sunday, Oct 28th, 3pm, in 213 Gregory Hall
Journalist Dahr Jamail speaks
"Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq"
Dahr Jamail will be speaking about his newly released book, "Beyond the Green Zone", published by Haymarket Books.
For more information, call (217) 202-7296.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dahr Jamail is an independent journalist who has covered the Middle East for more than four years. He has reported extensively from inside Iraq and has also has reported from Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Jamail writes for InterPress Service, The Asia Times, and many other outlets. His reports have been published in the Nation, The Sunday Herald , The Guardian, Foreign Policy in Focus, and The Independent, among other publications. On radio as well as television, Jamail has reported for Democracy Now!, and numerous other stations around the globe. Jamail is also special correspondent for "Flashpoints" (KPFK Radio/Pacifica). Beyond the Green Zone is his first book.
Cosponsored by Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), and AWARE.
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(updated 10/21/2007)
Saturday, October 27th
Peace Rallies Local and Regional
10am-noon North Prospect
and 10:30am sendoff of vans going to ChicagoDEFUND the WAR
REFUND Human Needs in Iraq and the USAWARE and others will gather at Lowe's parking lot in Champaign, at North Prospect and West Marketview Drive, just off I-74 at 10:00 AM on Saturday Oct. 27th. The local event is co-sponsored by Iraq Veterans Against the War, ISO, CAN, and AWARE. (Expect a pro-Bush counterprotest too, as advertised by Slot & Wing.)
Also that day, UFPJ, ANSWER and other groups are sponsoring major antiwar demonstrations in eleven large cities across the US, aiming to bring together as many people as possible. Many of us (about 5 vans' worth at last count) will be going to one in Chicago. Vans will gather at the North Prospect site for a 10:30 AM sendoff and can pick up people earlier (at 9:30 am) at the IMC in downtown Urbana.
If you'd like to go to the Chicago rally, contact Shara Esbenshade, esbenshd {at} uni.uiuc.edu . There's a cost, but it should be no more than $5 per person. Vans will return by mid-evening (most by 9 or so, with at least one group returning a couple hours earlier).
More information on the national efforts and Chicago march and rally (rally in Union Park at 1:30, march to Federal Plaza, and a further rally there)
Robert Naiman is offering to print out copies of "Don't Attack Iran" posters designed by the Syracuse Cultural Workers for any who wish to carry them; see the bottom of
http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/.
- (updated 9/10/2007)
Protest in Champaign-Urbana, Sept. 15th, 2-4PM
AWARE decided to have a special local demonstration on September 15th, in solidarity with the ANSWER march on Washington for this is the date by which the military was to report on the "success" or "failure" of the "surge".
Main & Neil, downtown Champaign
- Whereby the White House continues to think that they can fool all the people into believing that the invasion had something to do with the events of 9/11/2001, AND
- Whereby there are strong indications that the White House had a hand in writing the report and those on the ground in Iraq did not have enough input in the report, AND
- Whereby other reports are being ignored, like those by Oxfam, AND
- Whereby each day the troops are there is another day that this administration can make more mistakes, and more people die,
While this is still a democracy, we will stand together on September 15th. 2pm-4pm, 1 Main, downtown Champaign
Bring signs or use the ones we have... hopefully there will be loads of people out there with plenty to say, each in their own way.
- (updated 9/13/2007)
Protest in Washington, DC, Sat 9/15
Sponsored by ANSWER, Iraq Veterans Against the War, ...
National protest in DC, to bring attention to the misleading Petraeus/Crocker reports, and to call for an end to this endless war. Several people from C-U are going.
For details on the protest, other sponsors, etc., see: http://answer.pephost.org/
- (updated 9/13/2007)
Kathy Kelly with Voices for Creative Nonviolence
"BATTLEFIELD WITHOUT BORDERS,
CONSEQUENCES WITHOUT END"Thursday, October 4 - 7:00 p.m.
Community United Church of Christ
(corner of 6th and Daniel, Champaign)Kathy has just returned from spending two months in Amman, Jordan, living amongst Iraqis who have fled the violence in their country. During her talk in CU she will focus on the consequences of war for displaced Iraqis, Americans who suffer neglect because of our bloated military budget, and our nation's failure to address the planet's growing environmental problems.
ALL ARE WELCOME.
Ms. Kelly will be involved in a number of other events in C-U on Oct. 3 & 4. More details will be available soon on: http://www.awarepresents.com/
For more about what Kathy Kelly and Voices for Creative Nonviolence do, see their web site: http://www.vcnv.org/
- (updated 9/5/2007)
9/12 Wed 6&7pm Channing-Murray Foundation,
1209 W. Oregon (Mathews & Oregon), Urbana"Welcoming Everyone to the Table: Migrant Workers, Immigration, and the New Sanctuary Movement in Urbana-Champaign"
6pm: pot luck in Channing-Murray basement -- bring a dish to share if you can.
7pm: panel discussion. Panelists will be
- Matt Kuenning, attorney, and professor in UofI College of Law
- Martina Miranda-Lugo and Martha Betenia, Migrant Summer School recruiters
- Rev. Mike Mulberry, Minister, Community United Church of Christ
- Aide Acosta, UIUC graduate student in anthropology
Come learn about and discuss issues surrounding immigration, immigration law, migrant work and workers in the area, and what the New Sanctuary Movement is all about.
We'll also be collecting food & clothing items for local migrant workers. Items needed include (in good condition and CLEAN): light coats (any size), children's clothing, linens & blankets, dry & canned foods (rice, beans, canned vegetables, peanut butter, bread, tortillas, coffee, etc.)
- (updated 9/10/2007)
"Self-Restraint In & Out of Ramadhan"
Asian-American Cultural Center
(part of Tuesday noon Food for Thought series)
1210 W. Nevada, Urbana
Want to know more about Ramadhan? Come and join the discussion about self-restraint and goals in action during Ramadhan led by a representative from the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (http://cimic.prairienet.org/).
Learn more about the Muslim tradition of Ramadhan and about fasting. What is missed by the mind when one doesn't fast? And what does the mind and heart miss when one does? What statement does the month of Ramadhan make about the nature of the world itself?
- (updated 9/5/2007)
9/8 Sat 2-5pm "Reflections of Beauty" Open House
Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center,
106 S. Lincoln, Urbana
See http://www.cimic.org/.
Program:- 2:00pm
- Welcome! Calligraphy displays, architecture featuring mosques from around the world, mosaics, food, and (for women) henna painting
- 2:30pm
- The Well of Sweetness: The Art of Recital
- 3:05pm
- The Tulip Garden: Manifold Calligraphy
- 3:50pm
- Hidden & Revealed: The Poetic Craft
- (updated 9/5/2007)
9/9-9/12 (Sun-Wed), 7pm each evening
James Loewen, Guest-in-Residence at Allen Hall
1005 W. Gregory, UrbanaJames Loewen will be a Guest-in-Residence at Unit One/Allen Hall from Sunday Sept 9th through Wednesday Sept 12th. All events are free and open to the public and take place in the Allen Hall Main Lounge, 1005 W. Gregory, Urbana. Free parking is available in the garage across the street. See below for his schedule. James Loewen wrote the best-selling Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your High School History Textbook Got Wrong, in part a critique of existing textbooks, but also an account of American history as it should be taught. He taught race relations for 20 years at the University of Vermont and previously taught at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. He now lives in Washington, D.C., continuing his research on how Americans remember their past. His most recent book is Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism.
His other books include "Lies Across America: What Our Historic Markers and Monuments Get Wrong;" "The Truth About Columbus;" and "Mississippi: Conflict and Change," which won the Lillian Smith Award for Best Southern Nonfiction. This book was rejected for public-school text use by the State of Mississippi, leading to the path-breaking First Amendment lawsuit, Loewen et al. V. Turnipseed, et al. He has been an expert witness in more than 50 civil rights, voting rights, and employment cases.
- 9/9 Sun 7pm
- Sundown Towns: Racial Cleansing in America
Illinois is full of towns that for decades were all-white on purpose. Some still are. Jim Loewen wrote "the book" on these "Sundown Towns," after doing some of the research for it while a visiting scholar at Unit One/Allen Hall. Learn the truth about Chicago suburbs, downstate towns, and cities in other states, and the difference it makes today. - 9/10 Mon 7pm
- Lies My Teacher Told Me
Perhaps the best-selling book by a living sociologist, "Lies" puts back what high school American history textbooks leave out. - 9/11 Tue 7pm
- Writing History in Stone
Historical markers, monuments, and museums that are afraid to tell the truth about the past. - 9/12 Wed 7pm
- How Standardized Tests Like the SAT, ACT, and GRE Lie About Your Abilities
- (updated 9/10/2007)
Resources
- Mailing lists -- join our mailing lists (peace and peace-discuss at anti-war.net) or browse old posts.
- Meeting minutes -- recorded notes of Sunday AWARE meetings.
- Commentary -- AWARE opinions submitted to the media.
- Document archive -- issue pamphlets in various formats and more.
- Speaker's Bureau -- AWARE-affiliated individuals available for speaking engagements.
Contact
Get in touch with us -- come to a meeting (see "Ongoing Events", below), post to a mailing list, or email us at aware@anti-war.net
Ongoing Events
- Sunday, weekly:
AWARE meeting. 5-7pm, Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center (IMC), 202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana (the Post Office Building - IMC entrance is on the north side off Elm St.). - Saturday, weekly:
Farmer's Market at Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, 8-12 AM. Stop by to chat or help us spread the word about the anti-war movement and other progressive causes. We set up shop at the Farmer's Market every week throughout summer and fall. - Saturday, monthly:
"The Main Event" Monthly Anti-War Demonstration. Join us on the first Saturday of each month, 2 - 4 pm, at the corner of Main St. and Neil St. rain, wind or shine. Our primary theme is "OCCUPATION IS NOT LIBERATION". For more information contact Ricky at 328-3037 or by e-mail to baldwinricky@yahoo.com.