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News :: Miscellaneous |
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14 protestors demand legitimazation of GLBT people. 7 arrested. |
Current rating: 0 |
by kathryn matzen
Email: matzen (nospam) clam.clamcenter.org (unverified!)
Phone: 328-3185
Address: 504 s. broadway urbana il 61801 |
10 May 2001
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In a news-savy event, 7 protestors were arrested at the capital for vocalizing their support for the house bill that prevents hobophobia from denying jobs and housing to queer-folk. |
85 percent of Illinois citizens support the termination of legal sexual discrimination.
House Bill 101 adds sexual orientation (not gender, yet) to the list of anti-discrimination clauses that protect the people of Illinois.
14 vocalizers and advocators attended the Senate executive committee hearing in the State Capitol in Springfield today, 10 May 2001, to show support for the bill's journey through the Senate.
7 demonstrators were arrested.
When the ruler of the (senate) court announced that, at the request of the sponsors, HB101 would not be called, the 14 of us began shouting "NO NO we won't go. we want equality. we're your daughters, we're your sons, Pass House Bill 101." Four members of the 85% coalition marched to the front of the room, faced the senators with locked arms and defiantly led our cheers.
To put pressure on the Senate to hear this bill, Mary Lee Sargent, Kimberlie Kranich, Lori Serb, and Marya Burke civilly disobeyed the no protest rules of a Senate Hearing room, willing to be arrested in return. The remainder of our Urbana group chanted along in support of the vocal sit-in. We had agreed beforehand that there would be those who willingly faced arrest, and those who participated less visibly with a lower possibility of arrest. Sehvilla Mann and Jaime Gerber sat in the front row and showed support for the 4 women who did civil disobedience, not planning on being arrested themselves.
The security officers were quick to arrest the 4 women with locked arms and escort them out of the room and then arrested Sehvilla and Jaime, too. Meg, another protestor in our group, remained standing in the front row, a solitary vocal supporter of the civil rights of Illinois queer-folk, until she, too, was taken out of the room in handcuffs. Scattered applause greeted our demonstration. I sat stunned in the second row, quick to avoid arrest by shutting my mouth, and watched the senator-in-charge apologize for the disruption and continue on with the hearing.
Jaime was released later when she repeatedly stated that she had remained sitting during the protest. She told stories of the group of 7 arrested people cheering and singing in the elevator as they were taken to the basement for questioning. The officers kept tightening her handcuffs.
After questioning, Sehvilla remained in custody at the courthouse, waiting for her parents, while the 5 non-minors arrested were transported to the Sagamon County Jail to be booked. They returned to Urbana this evening, after release from jail.
A few words of encouragement and congradulation from labor union lobbyists followed me through out the courthouse afterward. I appreciated the thanks and felt misplaced in the praise heaped on a well-conducted direct action. With the postponement of the bill, Kimberlie alluded to a summer of education to accrue senate votes before the next time the bill is heard. |
Comments
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State Journal-Register's Report |
by Paul Riismandel
paul (nospam) mediageek.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
10 May 2001
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This is what Springfield's daily, the State Journal-Register, had to say about the incident and House Bill 101 today (http://www.sj-r.com/news/Thursday/a.htm):
Gay rights bill shelved
Protesters arrested for disrupting committee meeting
By DOUG FINKE
STATE CAPITOL BUREAU
Legislation that outlaws discrimination because of sexual orientation was shelved Wednesday after its backers conceded they did not have enough votes to get it out of an Illinois Senate committee.
As soon as the announcement was made in the Senate Executive Committee, a group of protesters disrupted the meeting with chants demanding that the bill be passed.
Secretary of State Police removed the protesters and arrested five women and a juvenile on charges of trespassing on state property.
After years of trying, backers of the bill to protect homosexuals from discrimination managed to get it passed in the House earlier this spring by the barest of margins. Supporters were further heartened when Senate President James "Pate'' Philip, R-Wood Dale, promised to give the legislation a hearing before a Senate committee.
However, Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, acknowledged there weren't enough votes to get the bill out of the Executive Committee on Wednesday. Rather than put the measure to a vote doomed to failure, Cullerton held off in hopes of building support for passage next spring.
"The bill was worked on in the House for six years,'' Cullerton said. "We've only had about five weeks over here."
If the legislation were to get to the Senate floor, Cullerton said, it would get enough votes to pass. However, Republican members of the Senate Executive Committee, who are loyal to Philip, would not support it.
Cullerton said he likely will wait until after next spring's primary before trying to pass the bill. That will give lawmakers a chance to get acclimated to the politics of their new district boundaries, which are being redrawn this year. Republicans in particular might be fearful of supporting the bill before the primary, possibly sparking a challenge by a conservative rival, Cullerton said.
Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, the only openly gay member of the General Assembly, said he agrees with Cullerton.
"I think it is a good strategy," McKeon said. "I am still confident that if we can get through this blockage, we have sufficient votes to pass the bill on the floor of the Senate."
Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, said supporters of the measure simply need more time to lobby legislators about its merits.
"Clearly, politics is on our side," Garcia said. "Pro-gay candidates do better than anti-gay candidates."
House Bill 101 adds sexual orientation to the list of factors, including race and religion, where discrimination is prohibited. The bill passed the Democrat-controlled House this spring on a 60-55 vote, the minimum number of votes needed.
The legislation was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday. However, as the meeting was starting, the committee chairman announced that it would not be considered at Cullerton's request.
With that, several women stood up, walked to the middle of the hearing room and began chanting "No, no, we won't go until we have equality." Several Secretary of State Police officers immediately descended on the protesters and moved them out of the hearing room.
Robert Howlett, director of the Secretary of State Police, said the protesters did not have the necessary permits to stage a demonstration in the Capitol. Even with a permit, demonstrations are allowed only on the first floor. The committee room is on the second floor.
Several of the protesters have been in the Capitol before, chanting outside the House chamber in support of the gay-rights bill.
"These people have been warned two and three different times," Howlett said. "They were given (the information) to obtain permits for demonstrations and they have ignored those requirements."
Arrested were Mary Lee Sargent, 60, Meg P. Miner, 39, Kimberlie A. Kranich, 35, and Marya C. Burke, 30, all of Champaign; Lori Ann Serb, 26, of Urbana; and a 15-year-old girl. All face charges of criminal trespass to state-supported property and disorderly conduct. Criminal trespass is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by less than a year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine.
Burke also was charged with contributing to the criminal delinquency of a juvenile because she allegedly brought the 15-year-old to the Capitol. That offense is a Class 4 felony.
"I don't think they did themselves very much good with their attitude trying to disrupt the meeting," Philip said afterward.
"Sen. Philip and I have common ground there," said Garcia. "I don't think what those folks did today was helpful"
Doug Finke can be reached at 788-1527 or doug.finke (at) sj-r.com.
© Copyright 2001, The State Journal- |
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News-Gazette's take |
by Peter Miller
peterm (nospam) shout.net (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
10 May 2001
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Local gay rights activists arrested at state Capitol
By KATE CLEMENTS
Published Online May 10, 2001
Copyright 2001 The News-Gazette
SPRINGFIELD Police arrested six Champaign area residents in the Capitol on Wednesday who demonstrated in support of a gay rights bill.
The protesters were dragged out of a Senate committee room by secretary of state's police while linking arms and shouting, "We're your daughters, we're your sons, pass House Bill 101."
Arrested were Kimberlie Kranich, 35; Mary Lee Sargent, 61; Meg T. Miner, 40; Lori Ann Serb, 26; and Marya C. Burke, 30, all from Champaign. An Urbana 15-year-old was also arrested.
"This is too important to go quietly," Kranich said before her arrest.
The six were charged with criminal trespass to state-supported property, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a petty offense, said secretary of state spokesman Randy Nehrt.
They each face a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500, Nehrt said.
Burke was also charged with contributing to the criminal delinquency of a juvenile because she allegedly brought the 15-year-old to the Capitol. That offense is a Class 4 felony.
That charge carries a maximum penalty of one to three years in prison, he said.
Those arrested were part of a group of about a dozen people representing the 85 Percent Coalition, which lobbies for civil rights for gays, lesbians and transgendered people.
The group got its name from a 1998 statewide survey done by the University of Illinois at Springfield, which showed that 85 percent of Illinois residents favored including sexual orientation in the state's anti-discrimination laws.
The protest erupted when a gay rights bill, which had passed on a 60-55 vote in the House, was not called for a vote in a Senate committee, quashing its chances of passage this year.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, asked that it not be called for a vote in committee because it did not have enough support to pass.
Judith Szollosi of Danville and Kathryn Matzen of Urbana were among those who accompanied the protesters but were not arrested.
"This brings visibility and shows that people are committed," Matzen said. "After 20 years of fighting for this, it's worth people getting arrested."
Szollosi said she hoped the demonstration made a difference in getting the bill passed, but Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale, was skeptical.
"I don't think they did themselves very much good their attitude and trying to disrupt the meeting," he said.
Philip said he would be surprised if there was more support in the Senate for the bill next year, as Cullerton had predicted.
The measure would bar employers from firing or refusing to hire or refusing to promote someone based solely on their sexual orientation. It would also ban landlords from refusing to rent to someone and lenders from denying credit to a person because they are gay or lesbian.
It would not apply to rental owner-occupied buildings with five or fewer units and it would not prevent a religious organization from hiring or firing someone based on the tenets of its religion.
Wisconsin and 10 other states already have similar laws, but efforts to pass gay rights legislation in Illinois have failed in the past 22 years.
"As a gay citizen, this is something that is very close to my heart because it affects me," said Paul Nolan, an 85 Percent Coalition member from Champaign. "I have been discriminated against in my jobs simply because I am gay and that is unfair. My ability to do my job should be the basis of whether I keep that job or not, not what I do in the privacy of my own home."
Sue Kaufman, secretary-treasurer of University Professionals of Illinois, said her organization supported the bill too.
"I certainly can understand the frustration of the men and women who demonstrated here today," Kaufman said.
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See also:
http://www.news-gazette.com/story.cfm?Number=9342
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News-Gazette's take |
by Peter Miller
peterm (nospam) shout.net (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
10 May 2001
|
Local gay rights activists arrested at state Capitol
By KATE CLEMENTS
Published Online May 10, 2001
Copyright 2001 The News-Gazette
SPRINGFIELD Police arrested six Champaign area residents in the Capitol on Wednesday who demonstrated in support of a gay rights bill.
The protesters were dragged out of a Senate committee room by secretary of state's police while linking arms and shouting, "We're your daughters, we're your sons, pass House Bill 101."
Arrested were Kimberlie Kranich, 35; Mary Lee Sargent, 61; Meg T. Miner, 40; Lori Ann Serb, 26; and Marya C. Burke, 30, all from Champaign. An Urbana 15-year-old was also arrested.
"This is too important to go quietly," Kranich said before her arrest.
The six were charged with criminal trespass to state-supported property, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a petty offense, said secretary of state spokesman Randy Nehrt.
They each face a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500, Nehrt said.
Burke was also charged with contributing to the criminal delinquency of a juvenile because she allegedly brought the 15-year-old to the Capitol. That offense is a Class 4 felony.
That charge carries a maximum penalty of one to three years in prison, he said.
Those arrested were part of a group of about a dozen people representing the 85 Percent Coalition, which lobbies for civil rights for gays, lesbians and transgendered people.
The group got its name from a 1998 statewide survey done by the University of Illinois at Springfield, which showed that 85 percent of Illinois residents favored including sexual orientation in the state's anti-discrimination laws.
The protest erupted when a gay rights bill, which had passed on a 60-55 vote in the House, was not called for a vote in a Senate committee, quashing its chances of passage this year.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, asked that it not be called for a vote in committee because it did not have enough support to pass.
Judith Szollosi of Danville and Kathryn Matzen of Urbana were among those who accompanied the protesters but were not arrested.
"This brings visibility and shows that people are committed," Matzen said. "After 20 years of fighting for this, it's worth people getting arrested."
Szollosi said she hoped the demonstration made a difference in getting the bill passed, but Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale, was skeptical.
"I don't think they did themselves very much good their attitude and trying to disrupt the meeting," he said.
Philip said he would be surprised if there was more support in the Senate for the bill next year, as Cullerton had predicted.
The measure would bar employers from firing or refusing to hire or refusing to promote someone based solely on their sexual orientation. It would also ban landlords from refusing to rent to someone and lenders from denying credit to a person because they are gay or lesbian.
It would not apply to rental owner-occupied buildings with five or fewer units and it would not prevent a religious organization from hiring or firing someone based on the tenets of its religion.
Wisconsin and 10 other states already have similar laws, but efforts to pass gay rights legislation in Illinois have failed in the past 22 years.
"As a gay citizen, this is something that is very close to my heart because it affects me," said Paul Nolan, an 85 Percent Coalition member from Champaign. "I have been discriminated against in my jobs simply because I am gay and that is unfair. My ability to do my job should be the basis of whether I keep that job or not, not what I do in the privacy of my own home."
Sue Kaufman, secretary-treasurer of University Professionals of Illinois, said her organization supported the bill too.
"I certainly can understand the frustration of the men and women who demonstrated here today," Kaufman said.
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See also:
http://www.news-gazette.com/story.cfm?Number=9342
|
|
News-Gazette's take |
by Peter Miller
peterm (nospam) shout.net (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
10 May 2001
|
Local gay rights activists arrested at state Capitol
By KATE CLEMENTS
Published Online May 10, 2001
Copyright 2001 The News-Gazette
SPRINGFIELD Police arrested six Champaign area residents in the Capitol on Wednesday who demonstrated in support of a gay rights bill.
The protesters were dragged out of a Senate committee room by secretary of state's police while linking arms and shouting, "We're your daughters, we're your sons, pass House Bill 101."
Arrested were Kimberlie Kranich, 35; Mary Lee Sargent, 61; Meg T. Miner, 40; Lori Ann Serb, 26; and Marya C. Burke, 30, all from Champaign. An Urbana 15-year-old was also arrested.
"This is too important to go quietly," Kranich said before her arrest.
The six were charged with criminal trespass to state-supported property, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a petty offense, said secretary of state spokesman Randy Nehrt.
They each face a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500, Nehrt said.
Burke was also charged with contributing to the criminal delinquency of a juvenile because she allegedly brought the 15-year-old to the Capitol. That offense is a Class 4 felony.
That charge carries a maximum penalty of one to three years in prison, he said.
Those arrested were part of a group of about a dozen people representing the 85 Percent Coalition, which lobbies for civil rights for gays, lesbians and transgendered people.
The group got its name from a 1998 statewide survey done by the University of Illinois at Springfield, which showed that 85 percent of Illinois residents favored including sexual orientation in the state's anti-discrimination laws.
The protest erupted when a gay rights bill, which had passed on a 60-55 vote in the House, was not called for a vote in a Senate committee, quashing its chances of passage this year.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, asked that it not be called for a vote in committee because it did not have enough support to pass.
Judith Szollosi of Danville and Kathryn Matzen of Urbana were among those who accompanied the protesters but were not arrested.
"This brings visibility and shows that people are committed," Matzen said. "After 20 years of fighting for this, it's worth people getting arrested."
Szollosi said she hoped the demonstration made a difference in getting the bill passed, but Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale, was skeptical.
"I don't think they did themselves very much good their attitude and trying to disrupt the meeting," he said.
Philip said he would be surprised if there was more support in the Senate for the bill next year, as Cullerton had predicted.
The measure would bar employers from firing or refusing to hire or refusing to promote someone based solely on their sexual orientation. It would also ban landlords from refusing to rent to someone and lenders from denying credit to a person because they are gay or lesbian.
It would not apply to rental owner-occupied buildings with five or fewer units and it would not prevent a religious organization from hiring or firing someone based on the tenets of its religion.
Wisconsin and 10 other states already have similar laws, but efforts to pass gay rights legislation in Illinois have failed in the past 22 years.
"As a gay citizen, this is something that is very close to my heart because it affects me," said Paul Nolan, an 85 Percent Coalition member from Champaign. "I have been discriminated against in my jobs simply because I am gay and that is unfair. My ability to do my job should be the basis of whether I keep that job or not, not what I do in the privacy of my own home."
Sue Kaufman, secretary-treasurer of University Professionals of Illinois, said her organization supported the bill too.
"I certainly can understand the frustration of the men and women who demonstrated here today," Kaufman said.
|
See also:
http://www.news-gazette.com/story.cfm?Number=9342
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