This SOS panel brings together an intergenerational array of powerful organizers to discuss how brave and talented locals have worked together in anti-authoritarian, grassroots movements to make Champaign-Urbana a more safe, supportive, and fair home for everyone while improving our world.

These community leaders continue to help build "a more perfect union” where rights and justice are given to all, as promised by our nation. However, many of them are shockingly forced to endure attacks for their work advancing inclusive democracy.

Let's remember our history, and do what is needed to stand with those who fight tyranny while making our country live up to its promises to the people! 

Panelists:

• Reverend Evelyn Burnett Underwood, J.D., Ph.D., Preacher, Teacher, Wife, Mother, Grandmother(Great and Great-Great). and “Village Keeper." 

• Professor Jay Rosenstein is a Peabody award winning documentary filmmaker, Emeritus professor of Journalism and Media & Cinema Studies at the U of I, and a musician. His 1997 documentary, "In Whose Honor?", is considered the seminal work on the subject of Native American sports mascots.

• Spencer Wilken is a UIUC physics alumnus, current astronomy PhD student, and founder of the Illinois Kingfisher mascot movement.

• James Kilgore is the Director of Advocacy and Outreach for FirstFollowers, a Reentry Program in Champaign County that offers support and advocacy for individuals returning home from prison. 

• Claudia Lennhoff is the Executive Director and a Community Organizer with Champaign County Health Care Consumers, a grassroots health care justice organization, where she has worked for over 28 years leading community organizing campaigns to improve the community's health, and for which she has been recognized with the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leaders award. 

Moderator:

• Aimee Rickman is co-organizer of the SOS coalition.

Edited segments of this panel that aired on WEFT community radio's Catch the Beat program on 8/20, 8/27, and  9/3 will be permanently archived here .