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News :: Miscellaneous |
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ISU Native American Student Association and PRC Join Forces to Protest the Chief |
Current rating: 0 |
by Meridith
(No verified email address) |
18 Dec 2001
Modified: 19 Dec 2001 |
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An hour before the UIUC vs. ISU basketball game on December 18th members of ISU’s Native American Student Association joined forces with the Progressive Resource Action Cooperative outside the main entrance of the Assembly Hall in protest of the racist UIUC mascot “Chief Illiniwek”. |
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An hour before the UIUC vs. ISU basketball game on December 18th members of ISU’s Native American Student Association joined forces with the Progressive Resource Action Cooperative outside the main entrance of the Assembly Hall in protest of the racist UIUC mascot “Chief Illiniwek”. Protestors handed out informational sheets about the racist nature of “Chief Illiniwek”, engaged fans entering the building in a dialogue about the issue, and a Native American Student from ISU wore as sign that read, “I am a human being, not a mascot.” Many fans heckled and/or dismissed the protestors, while a few expressed support. Security personnel forced protestors handing out literature to move off ramps surrounding the assembly hall stating that they could not be on University Property. This request seemed inconsistent with the actions of Police at the scene who allowed protesters to stay outside the main entrance. As the game began and the crowds dwindled protestors noted that much of their literature had been thrown on the ground around the Assembly Hall and proceeded to pick up what was now “litter”. On a positive note, protestors from the ISU and UIUC group met afterwards to strategize about future joint actions. Suggestions included pressuring university student governments to pass resolutions against the Chief, and working to educate elementary and high school students about the issue. Overall, having activists from ISU come to UIUC to express opposition to their school playing a University that continues to endorse a racist mascot set a positive precedent, and it is hoped that in the future activists from other schools will continue to do the same. |
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Restricted speech on public property, again? |
by pm
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
19 Dec 2001
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The UI police moving leafletters off public property reminds me of an incident at Sangamon State U. in the mid-1990's. SSU (now UI Springfield) is a public university where a debate among Springfield's mayoral candidates was being held. Two SSU faculty members tried to distribute leaflets in the auditorium, and the police ended up arresting them. Ron Sakolsky at UIS was one of those arrested and could offer more details.
How can citizenship survive if people can't voice opinions even in public spaces? |
