Author Archives: Brian Dolinar

About Brian Dolinar

Brian Dolinar has been a community journalist since 2004.

The Cops Killed Richie

Posted on May 2017 by Brian Dolinar

No matter how much training or technology they get, the cops just can’t stop killing Black people. On a Wednesday morning, November 16, 2016, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Champaign police received a call about a “disorderly” subject, Richard “Richie” Turner, … Continue reading →

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IMC Announcements

Posted on April 2017 by Brian Dolinar

Final Open Scene Workshop with Hill L. Waters April 14 (6-8pm) and April 16 (2-4pm) Independent Media Center, 202 S. Broadway There is a last Open Scene workshop with Hill L. Waters (April 14-16), a Black feminist love praxis project … Continue reading →

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Orange Crush: The Rise of Tactical Teams in Prison

Posted on February 2017 by Brian Dolinar

Since Ferguson, there has been a public outcry over militarized police who shoot down African Americans on the streets of our cities, but less is known beyond prison walls about guards who regularly brutalize those incarcerated. In Illinois, there is … Continue reading →

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Congrats to Urbana for Being a Sanctuary City!

Posted on January 2017 by Brian Dolinar

Congrats to Urbana for re-affirming our status as a Sanctuary City! An original resolution was passed in 1986 designating the city a refuge for Central American refugees. One of those who took part in the earlier campaign, Francis Boyle, University … Continue reading →

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Regulation of Prison Phone Calls Sweeps the Nation

Posted on November 2016 by Brian Dolinar

The Justice Department’s recent recommendation to end the use of private facilities for US citizens in federal prisons has been hailed as a victory by reformers, but the widespread privatization of everyday services in prison, like hygiene products, food, laundry … Continue reading →

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Black Lives Matter Courthouse Rally

Posted on October 2016 by Brian Dolinar

On Friday, Sept. 23, Black Lives Matter: Champaign-Urbana held a “No More Stolen Lives” rally at the Champaign County Courthouse. Photo credit: Paul Mueth

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Champaign County Facing Million Dollar Lawsuit for Jail Death

Posted on October 2016 by Brian Dolinar

On August 8, 2016, attorney Shayla Maatuka sent a letter to Champaign County Board Chair Pattsi Petrie requesting a million dollar settlement for the wrongful death of Toya Frazier, who died in the Champaign County jail. The letter is a … Continue reading →

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Makerspace Float in Pride Parade

Posted on October 2016 by Brian Dolinar

UCIMC’s Makerspace participated in this year’s Pride Parade with a mobile dance party! Photo credit: Jay Schubert

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IMC Helps Pass Prison Phone Justice Bill in Illinois

Posted on August 2016 by Brian Dolinar

State Representative Carol Ammons and Wandjell Harvey-Robinson attended the signing of HB6200 on August 22, 2016. The bill will cut in half the cost of phone calls from Illinois prisons. Thank you to Rep. Ammons and Wandjell for fighting for … Continue reading →

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Prison Boycott in Illinois Targets Costs of Incarceration

Posted on July 2016 by Brian Dolinar

During the month of April, at least 100 of those incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center, about an hour outside of Chicago, participated in a boycott of the overpriced phone calls, commissary goods, and vending machines. “Mass incarceration is a luxury … Continue reading →

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