Monthly Archives: August 2009

Labor in a Crucible

IN THE 1880’S, THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR constructed a much broader vision of organized labor than the “business unionism” of its craft union rivals that became the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The Knights welcomed unskilled workers, of any race … Continue reading

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From the Front Lines in Honduras

TWO YEARS AGO, A COOPERATIVE effort between our local Primary Communications Project and el COPINH, an indigenous peoples’ organization in La Esperanza, Honduras, built a powerful AM radio station to enable the Lenca Mayans to communicate their ideas. Honduras is … Continue reading

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The French Left and the 2009 European Elections

INTUITIVELY, GIVEN THE ROTTEN STATE of the capitalist economy in this period, one might have predicted that the voters in the 2009 election for the European Parliament, the only institution that is directly elected by popular vote in the highly … Continue reading

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Folk & Roots Fundraiser

Music for the Young and Young at Heart is the theme of the upcoming fundraiser for the Champaign Urbana Folk and Roots Festival. The fundraiser will take place Sunday August 23rd Noon to 8pm at Channing Murray Foundation and the … Continue reading

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Americorps Positions at UCIMC

We are excited to announce that the UCIMC is hiring for 8 full-time AmeriCorps volunteers starting this fall! We are accepting applications for: News Media (including the Public i and WRFU) Coordinator, Building Management, Books to Prisoners Volunteer Coordinator, The … Continue reading

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Afghanistan Article Clarifications

I would like to express my gratitude to the Public i for allowing Margaret Fitzpatrick to highlight the problems taking place in Afghanistan in her article “Afghanistan, a Beautiful Place Now Covered in Landmines”. However, there are some inconsistencies within … Continue reading

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Ethnic Violence in China: A Conflict Under Wraps

CHINA HAS LOST A LOT OF BLOOD THIS MONTH, and as it continues to dribble red, the rest of the world is straining to understand China’s inability to have anticipated and managed the situation. China is rife with ethnic conflict, … Continue reading

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Safe Haven Tent Community Goes to Court

A CROWD OF APPROXIMATELY 20 people showed up in city court on July 28, 2009 to watch the proceedings in a case against Jesse Masengale, a member of the Safe Haven Tent Community. After a group of homeless men and … Continue reading

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A Memorial for Archie Green: A Union Man, Laborlore Scholar, Folklife Advocate and Legend

THIS PAST MARCH, ARCHIE GREEN passed away. He was 91. Archie collected and catalogued songs, poems, and stories produced by ordinary people that described their work experiences, and their lives as workers. He studied Library Science at the University of … Continue reading

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Tasers, the Upside and the Downside

CURRENTLY, 14,200 OUT OF 17,876 state and local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. possess tasers (2009 figures). In Champaign County, the Sheriff’s Department has them for use anywhere in the county and in the two jails. The cities of … Continue reading

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Unilaterally Punitive

THE UNITED STATES IS UNIQUE in the world for its overzealous love affair with life without parole sentences (LWOP). It is one of the few western countries to have LWOP sentences and the only country in North America to have … Continue reading

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Vigil for Reform at Tamms Supermax Prison in Southern Illinois

INCARCERATION AT THE TAMMS SUPERMAX was approved by the Illinois legislature in 1998 as a short-term, one-year “shock-treatment” program for men in other Illinois prisons,who cause harm to guards or other inmates. However, Tamms has become a warehouse of human … Continue reading

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24 Hours in Gaza

I FIRST WANT TO THANK THE C-U COMMUNITY for their support of my participation in the Viva Palestina delegation. There is amazing local solidarity for justice in Palestine, and many people gave generously to make my trip possible. The Viva … Continue reading

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