Author Archives: 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 →

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 →

”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 →

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 →

Edgar Heap of Birds (left), a Cheyenne-Arapaho, is an artist whose work ranges from conceptual public art messages to paintings, prints, and monumental sculptures. He will deliver a presentation about his work and new installation titled Beyond the Chief, consisting … Continue reading →

BACKGROUND TO MLK ESSAY CONTEST This is the 7th year of the essay contest sponsored by the University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration Committee. The goal is to engage students with the legacy of Dr. King and how it relates … Continue reading →

In November, 52 % of California voters passed Proposition 8, which denies same-sex couples the right to marry. The initiative overturned a May ruling by the State Supreme Court that struck down a 2000 ban on same-sex unions. As with … Continue reading →

The October 2008 edition of the Public i detailed the systematic torture perpetrated by Chicago Police officer Jon Burge and other officers under his command from 1972 to 1993. On October 21, 2008, Sergeant Burge was arrested at his home … Continue reading →

Naomi Klein spoke at the University of Illinois in late October about a liberation movement that began in South America on September 11, 1973. It was a liberation movement for the international corporation. The current American economic crisis is a … Continue reading →

In a small claims case local black activist Patrick Thompson filed pro se against his former attorney, Harvey Welch, a judge decided that legal malpractice had been committed and ruled in Thompson’s favor. Thompson says he is donating the $3,000 … Continue reading →

It was a beautiful day for the fifth annual Unity March on Saturday, October 4, 2008, 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 … Continue reading →

Tired of only listening to what the herd thinks is best? Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7PM to 10PM your local Independent Media Center located at 202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (the old downtown Post Office) … Continue reading →

Upcoming at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in June is Something So Horrible: Springfield Race Riot of 1908. Gathering photographs, news accounts, oral histories, artifacts and other materials, the library will present an exhibition exploring Springfield’s most violent racial confrontation. … Continue reading →

The County Board passed in January a proposal for spending $6.81 million dollars on courthouse and tower renovations. Renovations have begun on the clock tower, but community concerns persist. Area residents, such as Chris Evans, still insist that “While we … Continue reading →

The hard truth of the matter is that the regime of monopolyfinance capital is designed to benefit a tiny group of oligopolists who dominate both production and finance. A relatively small number of individuals and corporations control huge pools of … Continue reading →

ON CAPITOL HILL, Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would have overturned a Supreme Court ruling limiting pay discrimination lawsuits. The Senate fell four votes short of considering the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, named for a female employee … Continue reading →

BOB WAHLFELDT DIED ON MARCH 26, 2008. He was an important part of and an inspiration to much of the local activist community. The following is excerpted from comments about Bob made by Barbara Kessel and Gene Vanderport on October … Continue reading →