Author Archives: Public i

An Open Letter to University of Illinois Chief of Police, Barbara O’Connor

Posted on 11/05/2010 by Public i

November 15, 2010—We write with grave concern about your recent use of the “Illini Alert” text-messaging system on Monday, November 8, 2010 to report the assault in Forbes Hall and to search for the suspect in that incident. The use … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

New Book of Poetry from Aaron Ammons

Posted on 09/05/2010 by Public i

A second book of poetry is now out from local poet Aaron Ammons, a.k.a. A-Dub, titled As I Travel My Creation. It includes dozens of new poems such as “Do I Remember,” reprinted below. This self-published book was funded in … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Arts, Voices of Color | Leave a comment

In Defense of Mumia Abu Jamal From the Campaign To End The Death Penalty

Posted on 07/05/2010 by Public i

The Campaign to End the Death Penalty (CEDP) is appalled by the news that several individuals of leading anti-death penalty organizations have signed a confidential memorandum stating that the “involvement of Mumia Abu-Jamal endangers the U.S. coalition for abolition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Prisoners, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Kiwane Carrington Update

Posted on 05/05/2010 by Public i

According to Champaign City Manager Steve Carter, the appeal of a 30-day suspension given to Daniel Norbits, the officer who shot and killed Kiwane Carrington, was denied. A day after the suspension was announced, an attorney with the Fraternal Order … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights | Leave a comment

The Public i Honors Workers Who Sacrificed Thier Lives For Corporate Profits

Posted on 05/05/2010 by Public i

An explosion in a coal mine in the mountains of West Virginia killed 29 miners on the morning of April 5, 2010. The Upper Big Branch mine was owned and operated by Massey Energy, which had been cited for numerous … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights | Leave a comment

Charges Dropped Against Jeshaun

Posted on 04/05/2010 by Public i

On April 13, 2010, State’s Attorney Julia Rietz dismissed all charges against Jeshaun Manning-Carter. Jeshaun was with Kiwane Carrington who was shot and killed by a Champaign police officer. While no charges were brought against police, Jeshaun was charged with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Roller Derby in C-U!

Posted on 03/04/2010 by Public i

C-U ROLLERS HITS THE SCENE HARD! BY RACHEL STORM—WHAT DO ROLLER SKATES, tattoos, fishnets, and punk all have in common? Well, roller derby, of course! This women-only contact sport that dates back to the 1920s is ready to punch Champaign-Urbana … Continue reading →

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2010 Martin Luther King Essay Contest Winners

Posted on 02/04/2010 by Public i

* The organizers of the 2010 MLK Essay Contest asked that the names of these young authors be withheld. Dear Barack Obama, My name is K___ and I am 18 years old. I go to the READY Program and I … Continue reading →

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Interview With Deborah Thomas Who Lives In The House Where Kiwane Carrington Was Killed

Posted on 02/04/2010 by Public i

On December 8, State’s Attorney Julia Reitz released a 13- page report concluding that Kiwane Carrington had been shot “accidentally” by Champaign police officer Daniel Norbits. While dedicating only one paragraph to Norbits’ history, and failing to mention his involvement … Continue reading →

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Chinese Profs Respond to the Public i on Their Government’s Response to Violence in Xinjiang

Posted on 11/04/2009 by Public i

In the August 2009 issue of the Public i, we published an article that was very critical of the Chinese government’s treatment of the Uygur (or Uighur, as it is usually spelled in the U.S.) minority. This article was read … Continue reading →

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Food Not Bombs Returns To C-U With The Really, REALLY Free Market

Posted on 09/04/2009 by Public i

RRFM will be Saturday, October 10, 3PM–5PM followed by FNB from 5PM–7PM, at the southeast corner of Westside Park in Champaign. The Really, Really Free Market (RRFM) movement is a non-hierarchical collective of individuals who form a temporary market based … Continue reading →

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Americorps Positions at UCIMC

Posted on 08/04/2009 by Public i

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 →

Posted in UC-IMC | Leave a comment

UCIMC at Americian Library Association Conference

Posted on 06/02/2009 by Public i

The UCIMC will host a table at the 17th annual Alternative Media Reception, Monday July 13th from 7–10PM at Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago. Sponsored by the Alternative Media Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) … Continue reading →

Posted in UC-IMC | Leave a comment

Nelson Algren, Chicago Author and U of I Grad, Turns 100

Posted on 05/02/2009 by Public i

Lumpenproletariat, me trespassed private property wondering always how it comes there‘s just no rest for such poor bums. BORN IN 1909, NELSON ALGREN wrote novels of the underclass, those who Marx described as the “lumpen proletariat.” Before he became a … Continue reading →

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Two Award Winning Performers Offer Workshops at UC-IMC

Posted on 04/02/2009 by Public i

A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL guitarists and songwriters to learn from two award winning performers is offered on Saturday May 9th from 2PM to 4PM at the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center. The fee for the workshops is $35. Contact … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, UC-IMC | Leave a comment

IMC Fest and Boneyard Arts Festival at the IMC

Posted on 04/02/2009 by Public i

IMC Fest is a three-day event taking place the same weekend as the Boneyard Arts Festival. April 18th at 12PM: “We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest: cross generational voices on building social justice movements.” A cross-generational roundtable discussion on … Continue reading →

Posted in UC-IMC | Leave a comment

Erma Bridgewater

Posted on 03/02/2009 by Public i

On February 26, 2009, Erma Bridgewater was the recipient of the Distinguished Community Services Award given to her at a Black History Month event held by the Muslim American Society. Born in 1913, Erma graduated from the University of Illinois … Continue reading →

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Champaign County Board Approves Committee to Study Jury Selection

Posted on 03/02/2009 by Public i

THERE 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. The … Continue reading →

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New Blog by Public i Writer

Posted on 02/02/2009 by Public i

”Wage slavery got you down? Feeling like you’re not 100% in command of your own destiny? For a worm’s eye view of the smoke-and-mirrors economy, the world, and life under Oz, check out Ricky Baldwin’s new blog theclayeater.blogspot.com. The name … Continue reading →

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Ministerial Alliance Awards Community Organizers

Posted on 02/02/2009 by Public i

On December 12, 2008, the Ministerial Alliance of Champaign-Urbana and Vicinity held an awards ceremony to recognize some of the unsung heroes who work tirelessly for the betterment of our community. Held at St. Luke’s C.M.E. Church in Champaign, the … Continue reading →

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