|
Comment on this article |
Email this Feature
|
|
News :: Peace |
|
AWARE Makes An Impact |
Current rating: 0 |
by Sandra Ahten
Email: spiritofsandra (nospam) hotmail.com (verified)
Phone: 217-367-6345 |
17 Sep 2002
|
|
AWARE (Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort) made an impact last week on the Urbana Champaign Community with a variety of well-planned events, which combined education and protest. |
Click on image for a larger version  |
AWARE Makes an Impact
AWARE (Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort) made an impact last week on the Urbana Champaign Community with a variety of well-planned events, which combined education and protest. Activists handed out approximately 3000 informational pamphlets at various venues, held a Teach-In attended by about 120 people, protested on Kirby Avenue during the Bears game, had a quiet but powerful presence on the quad during the Sept. 11 events, and marched to the FBI to raise awareness of civil liberties issues. In addition three members attended the evening program on 9/11/02 at the Krannert Center and handed out informational fliers. University security initially challenged AWARE members at the Krannert Center, but activist Al Kagan had researched their free speech rights and they were able to gain access to the crowd inside the building with argument, but without incident. The week of events received a variety of media coverage, including a feature on AWARE that was broadcast on WILL and photo coverage in the News Gazette.
Teach In
The teach-in, the fourth that AWARE has organized, was held at the McKinley Foundation. Speakers included Jeff Guntzel, Co-coordinator of Voices in the Wilderness, (a campaign to end the sanctions against Iraq), Maaria Mozaffar, Muslim activist who attends the U of I Law School, and Robert Hostetter, Professor, Playwright, and Artistic Director at North Park University in Chicago. Carol Inskeep, AWARE member, observed that the speakers gave personal and moving accounts of their first- hand experiences. She also observed that the audience included a nice mixture of people who had never been exposed to AWARE as well as veterans to the peace movement.
Challenging the Bears Fans
AWARE members encouraged Bear fans to consider the question "How Can We Stop a War Against Iraq?" A constant group of 15 - 20 braved the sweltering heat during the first official season Bears game on Sunday September 7. Kimberlie Kranich noted that the fans were more hostile than they had been during the other two football game efforts. Some speculated that this could have been due to the heat, the long slow lines, or to the fact that it was a different crowd for the "official" season game. Kimberlie said that some screamed "Nuke 'em all! Even the women and children!" Still others were concerned about the possibility of the U.S. entering a war with Iraq. Activists handed out dozens of handbills and AWARE fliers to those sympathetic or ambivalent. Kranich says, 'It was a tough crowd. I found it challenging to respond to hatred with a peaceful heart. Violence, even verbal violence, begets violence, doesn't it?"
Another World Is Possible
AWARE had made plans to have a speaking event on the quad on Sept. 11 followed by a march to the FBI building at the old train station in downtown Champaign. Organizers were told that in they could be part of an "open mic" that was being sponsored by the University. The AWARE members decided to blend their "Another World Is Possible Event" with the planned University event. However upon reaching the quad, it became apparent that the event was a carefully orchestrated "patriotic" event - and not an open mic at all. AWARE members stood together and held signs and banners with messages such as "What About the Bill of Rights?" and "Enough Innocent People Have Died: No War with Iraq". Others joined AWARE members in holding signs so that by the end of the event the crowd was dominated by the Anti-War messages. Then some members moved with their signs behind the musical band while they performed. The presence of AWARE at this event touched off a myriad of editorials and letters in the Daily Illini. The group marched to the FBI office as planned. Susan Parenti, AWARE member was photographed and identified in the News Gazette.
AWARE Meetings
The AWARE group is planning more direct action and educational programs. The public is invited to the meetings that are held each Sunday at 5pm at the IMC (218 W. Main, downtown Urbana). The meeting consists of a 20-30 minute education program or a cultural performance. Folk Musicians and Political Satirists, The Prince Myshkins performed on September 7. On Sept 14 Dr. Irfan Ahmad of the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center gave a presentation on "The Role of Muslims in America: Issues and Future." Delicious snacks are provided at the meetings and the meetings end promptly at 7pm.
You Can Help
AWARE is in need of funds to produce more literature. If you can make a donation please make your check payable to AWARE and mail it to AWARE c/o Raia Fink, 409 N. Race, Urbana IL 61801. There will be an art-auction fundraiser, "Postcards for Peace", in November. Watch for information. AWARE's email address is aware (at) grex.org. The homepage is http://www.anti-war.net |
See also:
http://www.anti-war.net
|
