Resources > Meeting Minutes
minutes of 6-6-04 AWARE meeting
Ken Urban facilitated with good humor and efficiency.
Introductions were brief and not numerous.
News of the Week (Carl G. Estabrook was absent, so others filled in.)-
Fmr US President Reagan died at a perfect time for the Bush campaign.
Venezuelan President Chavez will face a recall vote in August. The
opposition got enough signatures, and the petition has been accepted.
Timing of the recall vote will be the next fight. If before Aug. 19, there
will be an election. If after, the VP will succeed Chavez automatically.
Prospect for Peace-
Monthly protest against war and occupation went well, 24 people attending,
good responses, etc. despite being displaced to the other side of the
street by construction. Next: July 3, 2-4 pm. Al suggested trying out
another location in addition to this one, perhaps on the third Saturday:
new plaza at Main and Neil. Nods.
Legal issues-
Al, Carol and Ricky met with atty Bob Finch, who is willing to work for
us for free, pro bono and without charging us. The search for an atty
alone uncovered several lawyers in town who are sympathetic, made some
good contacts. Finch was particularly eager: returned calls within 10
minutes, called to let us know about the construction on Prospect, etc.
Finch will write a letter to the police on his letterhead and attend the
meeting with the Champaign Police (TBA). He also requested we designate
official spokespersons/committee for clear lines of communication with him.
These will be Susan Davis, Randall Cotton and Al Kagan.
AWARE's Third Annual Fourth of July float-
The team has a plan. "Another World Is Possible" will be the theme: one
nasty, old, polluted world with war and barbed wire and such, cracked open,
and a shiny new one emerging to represent peace, universal; healthcare,
etc. We need everyone to collect newspapers for the papier-mache, eight
volunteers to pull it (the weight of the world on their shoulders), a
handful of others to walk along with "burdens" on their backs ("poverty",
"war," etc.) and a number of folks to walk behind celebrating the new
world. Work parties TBA next week.
Tim Johnson meeting-
No response, more delays. Carol will send Matt's letter to the
News-Gazette as an open letter requesting a public meeting to discuss war
and occupation. [NOTE: On Monday Carol received a call from TJ's office.
Stay tuned!]
Tabling at Farmers' Mkt-
Good responses, raised $175, 50 postcards pressuring Kerry mailed.
Ken made new trifolds with Common Dreams articles and gave them out.
Sara brought a rack to put pamphlets in.
-Taste of Champaign- June 25-27 - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
See Carol carolinskeep@yahoo.com if you can help. Peter suggests skipping
the Farmers' Mkt just that one weekend to devote more human power to
the Taste.
WILL Commentaries-
Randall, David and Al met with WILL management to discuss offensive
new policy that violates free speech and common human decency. Result:
WILL folks exploring the possibility of setting aside a specific time
on a regular basis for listener-submitted audio commentaries with no
particular restrictions regarding local/regional or national/international
issues. Randall is optimistic.
Democracy Now!/UPTV-
Randall is less optimistic after 2 months of delays and suspicious
evasions. Time to increase pressure. Community-minded individuals
encouraged to phone manager Bill and ask what's up: 384-2354. Susan will
check with someone she knows who is knowledgeable about Cable Access Tv
& regs. [NOTE: Monday Randall got a response from Bill that was more
encouraging. Stay Tuned!]
Boondocks/News-Gazette Censorship-
Jan collected 73 signatures asking the NG to reverse its ignominious
cancellation of Boondocks for its criticism of Bush. No response yet.
Finances-
This weekend we made $204.65 incl. Farmers' Mkt and AWARE meeting
collection plate. Gabe made a $154.00 deposit last week and wrote a
check for the March 20 rental of the Urbana Middle School cafetorium to
the tune of $40.00. No word on the balance in the account.
New Ideas-
- Discussion of Emanuel's proposal for door-to-door leafleting with info
and resources on various issues. Al and Susan are meeting to discuss
new lit this week.
- Voter registration, two opportunities: Democrats going door-to-door
(posted separately). UC Progressives are having a picnic July 3 and will
discuss it (details TBA).
- UI Board of Trustees meeting in Chicago June 17. New group called
"I Resist" holding protests events: Monday - planning meeting; Tuesday
at noon holding signs along Green St (did this once before); Tuesday
night gathering on the Quad 6:30-ish for send-off of activists going
to Chicago; Wed. protest in Chicago with Native American group there
(The Board, whose members apparently know no shame, are having dinner at
the Native American Center that night); Thursday early morning protest.
Details will be posted separately. Also: new tee-shirts available soon.
Events of the Past Week-
Green presidential candidate David Cobb spoke at UI. Ken shared the stage.
Upcoming-
Tuesday at 7pm St. Pat's will have a video on the School of the Americas.
Thursday at the Aroma Café Darrin Drda will perform.
June 17 will see a Town Hall Forum with the Police-Community Relations
Committee on minority relations with police.
June 19 there will be a celebration on Juneteenth at Parkland College
with African American Cultural Arts.