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News :: Protest Activity |
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UIUC Board Of Trustees Meeting Disrupted! |
Current rating: 0 |
by Robert Dunn
Email: prorobert8 (nospam) hotmail.com (verified)
Phone: 217-359-1241
Address: 406EPark Champaign Il, 61820 |
14 Nov 2002
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On November 14,2002, the Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative (PRC) led students and community members in bringing the issue of the racist mascot "Chief Illiniwek" to the boards agenda despite the absence of the "Chief" on the official Board agenda. |
The Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative led a disruption of the UI Board of Trustees meeting in Urbana Illinois today at 8:00 AM, on the morning of 11/14/02. This took place during the public comment session which was limited to 6 speakers. Speakers talked about support for domestic partner benefits at the University, the "Chief", and the fact that the BOT changed the room venue to the Pine Lounge instead of Illini Rooms A, B, and C, which can hold up to 100 people. Only about 30 members of the public was allowed in, while 30 members of the public were forced to wait outside the Pine Lounge. When Brooke Anderson of the PRC, was about to speak, Trustee Susan Gravenhorst, asked that speakers stick to one issue. Anderson responded by pointing out the fact that issues of democracy, racism, and homophobia are part of the main issue of social justice.
After Brooke presented the Board with a resolution that the public and the PRC put together two days ago, she stated that she would use the rest of her time for the board to make a decision about the resolution. When Chairperson Gerald Shea informed her that the Board would not discuss the "Chief" issue, Brooke led the audience in chanting, "BOT, BAN THE CHIEF", and "NO EXCUSES, NO DELAYS, BAN THE 'CHIEF' TODAY." The chanting took the Board by surprise and lasted for 15 minutes when the University police told the PRC and the public to leave the meeting in one minute or be arrested. PRC complied and led a march to the West Side of the Illini Union where there was a 5-minute rally to wrap things up with.
For more info about the "CHIEF" and the PRCs resolution, email at prc (at) prairienet.org or visit their website at http://www.prairienet.org/prc
The PRC meets at the Illinois Disciples Foundation, which it is a program of. They meet at 7:30 every Wednesday evening at the IDF. |
