AWARE Minutes: 10/24/04
Facilitator: Al Kagan
Timekeeper: Randall Cotton
Recorder: David Green
1. Introductions: 20-25 present
2. News of the Week: Carl Estabrook (posted separately, reference to
article below).
3. Finances: Linda Evans: $2,600+
4. UPJ fliers: Randall has ordered 2,000 more for free, folks are
encouraged to distribute them on and off campus. If you need to get some,
e-mail recotton@earthlink.net
5. Unity March: Danielle reported on the successful march in difficult
conditions on Saturday, approximately 200 in rain and wind. Carol Ammons,
the primary organizer, also running for head of the local NAACP, you may
join and vote (eventually) on their national website.
6. Danielle will also be showing the film "Busted" on Wednesday
7. Mazin Qumsiyah visit: Mort is in touch, and has asked David Roediger
(Democracy in a Multiracial Society) to help sponsor. We will also bring
the Muslim Student Association into the sponsorship.
8. Postcards for Peace: Peter Rohloff has received many submission, which
were displayed. It will cost $100 to sponsor the printing of 500 copies
of a given card. Cowboy Monkey, Sunday Nov. 14, 2-5 p.m., entertainment
and auction.
9. Tabling: no tabling at Farmers Market this past Saturday due to bad
weather. Beginning on 11/20, for five weeks we will (on a week-by-week
basis) pay $25 per week to table inside the Lincoln Square Mall. We will
order blue ribbons to "bring them home" to counter the yellow ribbons to
"support our troops."
10. Sinclair Protest- 50 to 75 at corner of Springfield and Mattis
following Unity March on Saturday, then marched to station, but were not
allowed in. (the Daily Illini on Monday, October 25, 2004, has stories
on both marches, and you will probably see your picture if you were there).
11. Let Randall know if any messages that you have sent to the AWARE
lists have not gone through properly.
12. Veterans Day: Carol is finalizing plans for November 13, Saturday,
1-4 at McKinley Foundation for Paul Vogel, father of a returned soldier
against the war, Roaa al-Heeti with slides from her trip, local vets,
Stan Goff video. Any collections will go to Iraq Vets for Peace.
13. UPTV: according to Randall the meetings continue, including one
Monday 10-25.
14. Prospect for Peace: Pre-election version Saturday, October 30,
northwest corner of Prospect and Marketview Drive. Post-election version
on November 6.
15. Fast-a-thon: AWARE encourages participation on an individual basis
(Also, Fridays are a good evening to join the break-fast at CIMIC during
Ramadan.)
The Muslim Students Association would like to invite you to participate
in our 1st Annual Fast-a-thon! What is the Fast-a-thon?
It is a call to non-Muslims to join Muslims in observing Ramadan for
one day. We are asking you for three things:
1. To donate $1 to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank,
2. To fast from sunrise to sunset and
3. To join us afterwards for a night of dinner and guest speakers.
When is the Fast-a-thon?
Monday, Novemeber 8th, 2004. How can I participate? Attached to this
email is a form. Print it out, fill it up, attach your $1 donation to
the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, and drop it off upstairs at the RSO office
in the MSA cubicle. (The Registered Students Organization Office is on
the second floor of the Union, if you enter from the Quad. When you get
upstairs, turn right, go through the double doors, and there will be a
map telling you which cubicle belongs to MSA) THE LAST DAY TO TURN IN
YOUR FORMS IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2004!!! Yes, it's that easy!
So tell me more about dinner... Iftar - the opening of the fast - will be
held at the Wesley Foundation, 1203 Green St. (on the corner of Green
and Goodwin.) Dinner will be served at 4:44. Please arrive at least
30 minutes early so that we can check in and seat you. Where will my
$1 donation go? To the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. The EIF is host to
several soup kitchens and charity organizations around the southern-
Illinois area. The money we donate is used to purchase foods at very
cheap, wholesale costs. It is then distributed to the local charities
that help those who are less advantaged. We encourage you to participate
in this eye-opening event. Unite with your fellow students, give alms to
the poor, and enjoy a great dinner!Thanks for your time!
Zahra and Touqeer - MSA Fast-a-thon heads Zahra Somani, Communications
Specialist
16. We will be making plans to attend inauguration protests against the
war, January 20, 2005, no matter which pro-war candidate is elected.
17. Past week's events:
Tariq Ali, has been here all week giving lively talks at Allen Hall
and Levis/millercom, can be heard online from interview on Focus 580
(10-19), or this Sunday on Media Matters with Bob McChesney
Veterans Against the War, Ray Parrish
Carl's commentary on WILL; at-large commentaries on WILL Public Square,
pro last week, anti this week;
Cliff Thornton spoke about decriminalization of drugs at the PRC,
will return in February.
18. Upcoming Events:
Hijacking Catastrophe will be shown at IDF Bondurant Room at 8 on this
Thursday 10-28, and one of the people involved in producing the film
from the Media Education Foundation will be introduced by Bob Illyes;
this will be an extended version of the film.
Harvest of Shame, classic documentary about migrant farmworkers, to be
shown on 10-28 at 7 at YMCA Latzer Hall
pre-election prayer vigil, Monday evening at Channing-Murray
David Cobb, 10-25 at Allen Hall
Thursday 10-28 at Green and Neil there will be a vigil/protest for
Emergency Contraception
Benefit for Green Party at Iron Post on Friday 10-29
The Illinois Disciples Foundation (IDF) presents...
"Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry" A documentary by George
Butler Next Tuesday, October 26th 7pm Wisegarver Lounge (1st Floor of
IDF)** Free and open to the public
"Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry" is a documentary, directed
and produced by George Butler, that chronicles Kerry's service in the
Navy during the Vietnam War and his activism against the war upon his
return. But it is more than simply a biography of Kerry; "Going Upriver"
documents a generation of Americans who were affecting by the Vietnam
War and how those issues have resurfaced today.
Sinclair Broadcasting has ordered 40 of its 62 stations, including the
Champaign station WICD, to air a special news program entitled "A POW
Story." In this "news" program, a portion of an anti-Kerry documentary,
"Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," will be included despite its
obvious bias towards the upcoming presidential elections. In an effort
To give citizens a chance to hear fair and balanced coverage that the
mainstream media has yet to offer, the Illinois Disciples Foundation
has chosen to show an alternative to "A POW Story."
DISCLAIMER: By showing this film, the Illinois Disciples Foundation
is in no way endorsing John Kerry or any other candidate for president
of the United States.
The University YMCA is cosponsoring this event and has graciously
offered their projector to show the film.
IDF Annual Fall Dinner
Saturday, November 6th
Wisegarver Lounge (IDF)
NW corner of Springfield and Wright, Champaign
"Veterans Fighting in the Workplace and in Iraq"
Featuring keynote speaker Bill Davis
Doors open at 5:30pm
Tickets are $8-15 on a sliding scale
Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5
Tickets available in advance and at the door
*All funds raised will go to support the work of the IDF and VVAW*