Author Archives: Public i

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 →

Most students who do not complete school do so because of family problems. Some girls especially drop out of school because they want to get married and start a family. Also, some girls’ parents are not interested in education and … Continue reading →

Dr. King, we have a problem with war and terrorism. Instead of going to war killing thousands of people, we should have turned the other cheek and created peace. —Denzel Smith, Grade 9, READY School Now that we are in … Continue reading →

1.) My qualifications for State’s Attorney and why I decided to run for the job: I have over 8 years of criminal law experience as a licensed attorney and additional experience as an intern for the Attorney Generals Office. I … Continue reading →

I believe that we should help the communities more, by opening more peer mediation centers and getting young black adults involved more. Try to talk sense into kids by letting them know they’re not alone. Find out what sparks their … Continue reading →