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Mar 25 2009 - 9:25am
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Mar 13 2009 - 2:57pm
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Mar 9 2009 - 10:02pm
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Mar 6 2009 - 5:44pm
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Mar 5 2009 - 1:37pm
Feb 25 (Wed.): Roy Zimmerman performs at the IMC!
Submitted by SF on February 20, 2009 - 1:33pmWednesday, February 25, 8-10pm - Roy Zimmerman LIVE at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
We are proud to welcome back singer-songwriter Roy Zimmerman for his second performance at the IMC. Roy is an intensely clever and entertaining writer and performer, who, according to the Los Angeles Times, "displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society's foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer" and who describes his own work as "funny songs about ignorance, war, and greed."
Zimmerman toured 47 states in 2008, capturing satirical snapshots of the country during the election year. His albums include Cosmic Sutra News, Homeland Security, PeaceNick, Faulty Intelligence, and Thanks for the Support. For more information, visit http://www.royzimmerman.com.
Champaign County Board Approves Committee to Study Jury Selection
Submitted by Brian Dolinar on February 20, 2009 - 10:17amThere was an important victory Thursday night, February 19, 2008, for those fighting for reform of the criminal justice system in Champaign County. By a unanimous vote, the Champaign County Board appointed the Citizens Advisory Committee on Jury Selection.
This committee is made up of citizens, board members, and local criminal justice officials. It is intended to address the racial disparities documented to exist in Champaign County. For several years the Courtwatch study conducted by the League of Women Voters has shown that while African Americans make up 60% of defendants, they represent 5%-6% of the jury pool.
The 16 members of the committee include: Pius Weibel, Matt Gladney, Presiding Judge Thomas Difanis, State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, head Public Defender Randall Rosenbaum, Courts Administrator Roger Holland, Joan Miller of the League of Women Voters, Aaron Ammons, Patricia Avery, William Brown, Lorraine Cowart, Brian Dolinar, Deloris Henry, Barbara Kessel, Jenny Putman, and Patrick Thompson.
Racial Profiling Study Suppressed by Local Media
Submitted by Brian Dolinar on February 4, 2009 - 3:44pmStatistics on racial profiling collected by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were released this year with no local fanfare. Although covered for the last three years, the 2007 numbers went unreported by the News-Gazette, who has a virtual monopoly of the local newspaper market. This is surely an attempt to protect police officials from public rebuke and continued calls for police accountability.
IMC Film Festival this Friday-Sunday, Feb. 6-8 - FREE
Submitted by SF on January 30, 2009 - 4:30pmThis February 6, 7 and 8th, the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center (IMC) will be hosting the IMC Film Festival (www.imcfilmfest.org). This three day celebration of the art of cinematography will highlight local and independent artists and kickoff monthly IMC Film Nights. It will also be a chance for local and independent filmmakers to share their work and connect with other artists, community members, and organizations.
We are advertising widely within the artist and art-supporting communities. The IMC also has a wide support base of almost 600 different community members and volunteers. We anticipate a strong turn-out for this event.
Works by local and regional filmmakers will be featured, with submissions coming from Chicago, St. Paul, Iowa City, and Champaign-Urbana.
The IMC Film Festival will be open to all, FREE of admission charges.
U-C IMC Inauguration 2009 DC Trip Day 4 (Inauguration Day) & some thoughts
Submitted by blah on January 25, 2009 - 8:44amIt's been three days since we got back to Champaign-Urbana and still I am having a hard time properly putting into words our past weeks experiences in D.C. I keep going back to using words like amazing, intense, and incredible but twitch inside due to their inadequacy. These are words I use daily and January 20th 2009 was anything but a daily experience. I have either to find new words or start using those words less.
U-C IMC Inauguration 2009 DC Trip Day 3 Video (MLK Day) & Inauguration Day Photos
Submitted by blah on January 21, 2009 - 2:57pmHere we have part 1 and part 2 of our footage taken on day 3 (MLK Day), enjoy!
U-C IMC Inauguration 2009 DC Trip Day 2 & Photos
Submitted by blah on January 20, 2009 - 12:16amMore video from the last part of the trip to D.C. and our arrival at Sascha and Faith's. Also we have photos from the whole trip including some from Day 3.
Look out for tomorrows videos containing interviews done on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day as well as Inauguration Day.
UCIMC reporting from DC on the Inauguration
Submitted by blah on January 19, 2009 - 11:17amJust before the November 2008 elections, a few people at the IMC started talking about a road trip to Washington, DC for the presidential inauguration - a trip we would especially want to make if Barack Obama won the election, there was enough local interest in making the journey, and we could find group transportation.
The motives were fairly simple: to witness the crowds and celebrations (or protests) in our nation's capital while also documenting citizens' reactions and perspectives. As winter progressed, we decided this would also be an opportunity for the Independent Media Center to represent the Urbana-Champaign community and to produce a video diary that we could send home for everyone who could not join us. This is a glimpse - unfettered by mainstream media - into our experiences traveling across country, meeting new and old friends, having light-hearted and serious discussions, and being part of a massive crowd for a historic event in a historic city.
IMC Film Festival: February 6, 7 and 8, 2009
Submitted by SF on January 14, 2009 - 4:34pmThis February 6, 7 and 8th, the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center (IMC) will be hosting the IMC Film Festival (www.imcfilmfest.org). This three day celebration of the art of cinematography will highlight local and independent artists and kickoff monthly IMC Film Nights. It will also be a chance for local and independent filmmakers to share their work and connect with other artists, community members, and organizations. The festival is open to submissions and we are advertising widely within the artist and art-supporting communities. The IMC also has a wide support base of almost 600 different community members and volunteers. We anticipate a strong turn-out for this event.
Watch Out For That Blago Counterpunch!
Submitted by Local Yocal on January 11, 2009 - 12:03pmYou have to admit the Crisis in Springfield (or is it The Crisis in Chicago?) is, at the very least, entertaining. Sometimes watching recent events unfold in BlagoGate is like watching an old grainy, black and white, televised prizefight straight out of the comic-book 50’s.
Every politician in the United State's of America, every television and radio program, every pundit and every survey poll says to the arrested Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, resign from office immediately and go straight to jail. If Blagojevich should try to appoint somebody for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barak Obama; forget it, no one on earth will accept the appointment. Pow! The Golden Gloves Governor is pummeled back into his Chicago home.
McKinley Health Center's plans to cease offering sonogram services at the end of this year.
Submitted by Lori Serb on December 15, 2008 - 4:03pmMembers of the Graduate Employees' Oorganization Healthcare Working Group learned on Thursday of McKinley's plans to cease sonogram service by January 1, 2009.
The GEO has been having regular Labor Management meetings with Administrators with the joint intention of the Union and the Employer to promote a sound and mutually beneficial relationship. GEO members met with McKinley director Palinkis during two separate Labor Management Meetings with the agenda being Graduate health care services in general and Women's Health at McKinley. The GEO representatives had discussions specifically about the provision of the sonogram service, which they were concerned might disappear. Palinkis first claimed that the service was not in danger, and later in admitting that they were considering ceasing it, his argument was that students were not seeking sonograms at the same rate as previously - GEO members later discovered that this was because doctors at McKinley were being directed to refer students to external sonogram services, rather than the service within the Center.
The Destructive Class
Submitted by Local Yocal on December 15, 2008 - 1:00pmA common reaction to our Governor's latest legislative maneuverings (the governor has promised that at trial, we will see there was clearly no wrongdoing on his part - if we would just quit closing in on him and give him some space.) has been sprinkled with a fairly consistent belief that the Governor's arrest comes as no surprise.
December 6th at Cowboy Monkey "What Matters" WRFU benefit
Submitted by nicole imc on December 5, 2008 - 12:08pm
**** WRFU BENEFIT SHOW ****
* *** *
* Saturday, December 6 *
* at the Cowboy Monkey *
* 6pm til 2 am *
*
-> what matters <-
Featuring (in last-to-first order):
New Ruins
Krukid
Golden Quality
Common Loon
Joseph Donhowe
Ferrocene3
The Duke of Uke and his Novelty Orchestra
Dottie and the 'Rail
Paul Kotheimer
The Turinos
Eleni Moraites
History of the Future
William Gillespie
Crystalline Scoggins
Beth Simpson
Kevin Elliott
$4.$4.$4.$4.$4.$4.$4.$4.
Only $4.
This benefit is being held to raise funds towards a new permanent tower for WRFU.
In the spirit of the station, the show features a smorgasbord of local musicians and poets performing short sets, all of which include pieces related to the show theme: "what matters."
Champaign Urbana Rallies to protest Proposition 8
Submitted by Marti Wilkinson on November 17, 2008 - 7:40pm2008-11-17
Facing the cold and the wind protesters gathered in opposition to Proposition 8 on November 15, 2008 in Champaign/Urbana Illinois. Standing on the four corners of Green and Wright street participants shouted “Stop the hate. Stop the hate. Separate the church and state.” People carried signs proclaiming “Love knows no gender” and “You don’t have to be gay to believe in equal rights.”
One of the event organizers Brooke Elliott, President of L-Cubed (Ladies loving Ladies) said, “We are here today because prop 8 was passed in California which will put a ban on gay marriages and everyone has a right to marry.” According to Elliott the event is also a way for Champaign/Urbana to show support for protests taking place across the nation.
A Comparison of Funding for General Assistance in Champaign with Surrounding Cities
Submitted by randallcotton on October 16, 2008 - 4:32pmThis report illustrates how Champaign's funding of General Assistance aid to the poor is many times lower than that of surrounding communities. Voting yes for the Township Referendum on the November 4 ballot will help to rectify the disparity, though the inequality is so severe that even with successful passage, Champaign will still fund General Assistance at levels nowhere near surrounding cities.
Note: An Adobe Acrobat PDF version of this report is available here.
General Assistance (GA) is a state-mandated financial aid program run by Illinois townships (which are subdivisions of counties). GA provides basic financial assistance to those who are in the deepest of poverty (income less than $3000/year) who don't also qualify for other state or federal aid. GA is the last-chance safety net for the poorest, most vulnerable citizens in Illinois. It typically offers a maximum of $225 a month plus additional payments for basic medical care. In Champaign, however, benefits were severely cut and half of all clients were completely abandoned last year.
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Township Funding Comparison revision 2.pdf | 70.46 KB |
Champaign-Urbana Citizens March to Pass Poverty Referendum
Submitted by Brian Dolinar on October 4, 2008 - 5:33pmIt was a beautiful day for the fifth annual Unity March, an event organized by Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice. This year’s march was dedicated to passage of the coming Township referendum on the ballot this election day, a measure that would raise funds to help the poorest of the poor in Champaign. A diverse crowd of approximately 150 people marched to stamp out poverty.
The march kicked off at the Township office in Champaign. T-shirts were passed out that read on the back, “Freedom From Extreme Poverty is a Human Right.” They were made to promote The Faces of Poverty, a documentary video made about the Champaign Township showing on television this month (See below).
Several members of the Champaign Township Board were present including Mayor Jerry Schweighart, Michael La Due, Karen Foster, Tom Bruno, and Gina Jackson.
The Township Referendum is a Poverty Referendum
Submitted by randallcotton on October 3, 2008 - 1:06pmRestoring Champaign’s safety net for the poor
Would you vote “Yes” for a tax increase if you didn’t know what it was for? If you live in Champaign, this is exactly what you’ll be faced with on Election Day unless you read on. If you don’t vote “Yes” you may regret it once you understand what’s at stake.
On Election Day, November 4th, Champaign voters will be asked to vote on the following referendum:
“Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for City of Champaign Township be increased by an additional amount equal to .02% above the limiting rate for levy year 2007 and be equal to .0550% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2008?”
Unless you educate yourself beforehand, just the first four words will be enough to throw you off. What’s a “limiting rate,” let alone a “Property Tax Extension Limitation Law” or “equalized assessed value,” you might wonder. Yet it’s crucial to understand and make an informed vote on this referendum – only a “Yes” vote will help restore Champaign’s threadbare safety net of last resort for the city’s poorest, most vulnerable citizens.
"Bail Out Main Street! Not Wall Street!"
Submitted by Brian Dolinar on October 1, 2008 - 8:21pmWednesday night at rush hour, approximately 30 people assembled outside the Illinois Terminal in downtown Champaign to protest the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street.
Several local TV stations, as well as WILL 580's Jim Meadows were there, although the News-Gazette failed to cover the event.
Many passers-by in traffic along University Ave. waved or honked in support, and at least one veteran in fatigues waved from his red truck.
Local independent journalist Brian Dolinar was spotted with a sign reading "Jail not bail."
The attached photo is of Germaine Light.
The crowd, led by Robert Naiman who held a megaphone, chanted "Bail Out Main Street! Not Wall Street!"
This was an event organized by the local chapter of Jobs With Justice.
BD
School Children Face Deadly Hazard in Urbana
Submitted by Ricky Baldwin on September 24, 2008 - 4:00pmThere is a school crossing at Oregon and Vine, the kind with flashing yellow lights, and a sign depicting a child in silhouette crossing with an adult, and white zebra stripes painted on the street. But every day at least 20 Urbana school children who walk to Leal Elementary School along this route play a deadly game of “Frogger” with unyielding motorists. At least two, possibly more, have already been struck.
My own kids and I have experienced this frequently. Some motorists barrel through even after others have stopped, even swerving around children and parents in the crosswalk. Some drivers honk or shout profanities.
Neighborhood parents and children have recently begun counting cars that refuse to yield to them as they attempt to get across. Numbers so far range from about 12 to over 50 violators interefring with each pedestrian attempt to cross.
Learning to Smile Politely
Submitted by Local Yocal on September 15, 2008 - 6:47pmI quit watching television in 1985. I remember the exact moment when I made this decision. It was when I saw a senior citizen lady fall to the floor when she tried to spin the big wheel on The Price Is Right. It appeared she sprained her ankle during the fall, and for a long 15 television seconds, she couldn’t get up. The host at the time, the beloved Bob Barker, did not help the lady to her feet.
Learning to Smile Politely
by Local Yocal
Thompson and Miller Arrive At Settlement In Federal Suit For 2004 Eavesdropping Charges
Submitted by Brian Dolinar on September 8, 2008 - 7:15pmIn negotiations this summer, Patrick Thompson and Martel Miller arrived at a settlement in a civil suit against local authorities claiming their civil rights had been violated when eavesdropping charges were leveled against them in 2004 for videotaping the police.
In June 2005, Thompson and Miller filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court against Champaign, Urbana, and Champaign County. The complaint contained three major components: 1) Patrick Thompson had been racially profiled by Champaign police in three traffic stops in late 2003. 2) Martel Miller had his Fourth Amendment rights violated when Champaign police illegally seized his videotape and equipment. 3) Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Dobson had maliciously prosecuted Miller and Thompson on charges of felony eavesdropping.
Those named in the original suit included Champaign City Manager Steve Carter, Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney, Deputy Chiefs John Murphy and Troy Daniels, Sgt. David Griffet, Officer Justus Clinton, State’s Attorney John Piland, and Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Dobson.
RNC Sweep Raids Twin Cities IMC
Submitted by gehrig on August 31, 2008 - 11:44amFrom sascha:
The Twin Cities Independent Media Center was just raided by the police and shut down. Having worked extensively with TC Indymedia folks for years, I know first-hand that they are avid journalists who have a multi-year history of covering important local stories.
Ongoing coverage is available at: http://twincities.indymedia.org
Details are still coming in, but the official line appears to be that they're shutting the place down for building code violations. The fact that they raided the space, handcuffed people, photographed people and took down information from their IDs, and confiscated hard drives and laptops seems to contradict this official reasoning. It looks like the police have also raided (as of two hours ago) the Food Not Bombs house (a group of vegans that hands out food and opposes war) and a second house (just an few minutes ago).
This is going on right now. This is clearly a very wide-reaching and well-orchestrated police action to shut down independent media coverage and disrupt local organizing efforts ahead of the RNC. First Amendment be damned.
Please help spread the word.
Patrick Thompson Wins Small Claims Case Against “Ineffective” Attorney Harvey Welch
Submitted by Brian Dolinar on August 27, 2008 - 4:09pmIn a small claims case local black activist Patrick Thompson filed against his former attorney, Harvey Welch, a judge decided that legal malpractice had been committed and ruled in Thompson’s favor. Thompson filed the suit pro se, arguing his own case, while Welch was represented by Urbana attorney David Rumley. The $3,000 in attorney fees that Welch must pay back, Thompson says he is donating to Champaign Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice, who helped raise funds for his legal defense.
Thompson had hired Welch to defend him against charges of sexual abuse and home invasion in a trial that took place in 2006. After Welch called only one witness, Thompson was found guilty. Dropping Welch, Thompson hired two new attorneys, Bob Kirchner and Ruth Wyman, who filed a post-trial motion to reverse the guilty verdict. In a rare courtroom decision, Judge Harry Clem found that Welch had provided “ineffective assistance of counsel” and granted Thompson a new trial. This last May, with legal counsel provided by Kirchner and Wyman, a jury found Thompson not guilty of the criminal charges.
Danielle Chynoweth Stepping Down from Urbana City Council
Submitted by anonymous on July 14, 2008 - 4:10pmBreaking News ... Danielle Chynoweth, City Council Member from Ward 2 and Mayor Pro Tem, who has served for the past 7 years, is stepping down from Council. Here is a copy of the letter sent from Ms. Chynoweth to the Mayor and Council Members today:
Dear Mayor Prussing and Urbana City Council Members,
Please accept this letter announcing my resignation from Urbana City Council.
After much consideration and attempts to schedule my professional life around council commitments, I have concluded that, with greatly increased travel and professional commitments, I will not be in a position to adequately serve Ward 2 residents.
Through my business, OJC Technologies, I have taken on the role of Development Director for Patch Adams. This new role will require me to travel extensively in the next year as we gather support to build a Health Care Teaching Center and Free Clinic in West Virginia. This is just one part of the growth in business we are experiencing at OJC. Other new contracts will be taking me out of the country as well.
I-69 Opponents Lock Down at Asphalt Yard, Halt Work
Submitted by anonymous on June 27, 2008 - 2:09pmOpponents to I-69 shut down business at a Gohmann Asphalt site for three and half hours on Wednesday, disrupting the normal flow of operations, clogging construction traffic, and costing Gohmann several hours worth of lost profits. Gohmann Asphalt has been awarded a $25 million contract to construct the first 1.77 miles of Interstate 69 north of Evansville, Indiana, a road that will displace 450 families, destroy thousands of acres of farmland, forests, and wetlands, and contribute to the increasing exploitation of the global South through free trade.
Protesters arrived at Gohmann Asphalt’s construction yard in Haubstadt, IN at 10 AM Wednesday morning. While one individual stopped a truck leaving the site, others deflated the tires, immobilizing the vehicle. Four individuals locked themselves to the undercarriage beneath the truck, and yet another climbed on top and locked his neck to a bar that was fixed to the trailer. Within minutes a long line of trucks stretched down the road, some trying to enter the facility and several trying to exit. As the lines grew longer, supporters arrived and began chanting, holding banners, and supporting those locked on with water and food.
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