Anti-"Chief" Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 8th, 2004

PRC Hosts Rally Against “Chief Illiniwek” On Eve of UI Board Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, November 10th, 2004 at 6pm

WHERE: South Patio of the Student Union, UIUC Quad, Urbana

WHO: The Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative (PRC)

WHAT: A protest on the University of Illinois Quad to denounce the racism of UIUC’s mascot and symbol, “Chief Illiniwek.”

On the eve of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees meeting on the UIUC campus, students, faculty, alumni, and community members join together to send a loud and clear message to the Board—eliminate the racist symbol, “Chief Illiniwek,” in its entirety—the name, dance, and logo.

The Board of Trustees has selected a new president for the U of I, B. Joseph White, and will approve his appointment on Thursday. In a recent Daily Illini article, White noted that the debate surrounding “Chief Illiniwek” is one that “I have a lot to learn, I have a lot of listening to do. The Chief falls into that category.” The PRC hopes this week’s anti-“Chief” activities will serve as an educational resource for White.

COSPONSORS: Activist Forum, Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort (AWARE), Common Ground Food Cooperative, El Centro por los Trabajadores, Graduat e and Professional Students of Color, Illinois Disciples Foundation, Muslim Student Association, School for Designing a Society, Student Peace Action, UC Indy Media Center, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and Women's Direct Action Collective.

VISUALS: Anti-“Chief” banners, signs, picketers distributing leaflets and anti-“Chief” pledge cards etc.

SOURCE: Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative (PRC)

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