Embedded Files
Timely recent essay: "Who is Un-American?"
"Your struggle, our struggle, the struggle of those below in general, depends on resistance; on not giving up, not selling out, not giving in." -Zapatista SupGaleano
Sept 3, 5:30pm:
Sept 3, 5:30pm:
Listen to the final 3rd segment of Aug 2 "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Listen to the final 3rd segment of Aug 2 "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Hosted by airshifter Cope Cumpston on Catch the Beat. Tune in or stream live on WEFT! More info
Archive of this show will be ere for two weeks from broadcast: https://spinitron.com/WEFT/pl/20978773/Catch-The-Beat
Broadcast of three SOS panel aired by WEFT are archived here.
Many efforts are working for rights and justice in CU. Join them, and stand with them in solidarity. Learn ways to do so by clicking "GET INVOLVED"!
SOS tshirts!
SOS tshirts!
Based on popular demand, Summer of Solidarity (SOS) all-cotton, black, local- & union-made tshirts have hit the streets, and they're going fast! We have a few left ($20; cash only). To order, send a message identifying the size(s) you want to the email address at the very bottom of this page BY 11:59pm SUNDAY, AUGUST 31. We will write back and confirm. Pick up in CU. Once these sell out, that's it, y'all!
SOS ts were made by Dixon Graphics, a local, union-run print shop that is a sponsor the Summer of Solidarity, and that has supported so many community efforts. They give good, union jobs to skilled locals, and they do excellent work while paying into our tax base and supporting important causes in CU. Please use them for your next print job!
Proceeds from SOS tshirt sales will go to local non-profits who provided space for our SOS forums.
OUR COMMUNITY SPACES ARE SO IMPORTANT! Please donate to them directly. They could use the support.
And contact us asap at the email below if you would like to buy a t.
Summer of Solidarity. ❤️
Past Events:
Past Events:
Our country makes promises, but the people advance civil rights, inclusive democracy, liberty, equality, and justice.
Learn from some of our powerful local leaders how our neighbors have worked together in grassroots movements to oppose bigotry, white nationalism, predatory capitalism, and other forms of structural violence, making Champaign-Urbana a more safe, supportive, and fair home for everyone while improving our world!
Through collaboration, competence, care, and commitment, members of our community have been building "a more perfect union." Our neighbors are inspiring and mighty. Let us not forget that many of them are currently under attack precisely because they bring rights and justice to all, as promised by our nation.
Let's uplift those doing this important work. And let's do what is needed to stand with these leaders and those like them in the days to come.
Remember our history!
This is the final SOS panel of summer 2025.
Summer of Solidarity. ❤️
SOS Aug 2 final panel poster2025.pdfSOS! "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel flyer available for download here!
Some wonderful CU businesses are offering specials as part of the Summer of Solidarity. Click the "Local discounts" button to learn more. Then stop in to show your support!
Aug. 27, 5:30pm:
Aug. 27, 5:30pm:
Listen to part 2 of Aug 2 "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Listen to part 2 of Aug 2 "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Hosted by airshifter Cope Cumpston and recorded by Paul Meuth. Tune in or stream live on WEFT! More info
Archive of this show here for two weeks from broadcast: https://spinitron.com/WEFT/pl/20978773/Catch-The-Beat
Broadcast of July 4 "Art is the great democrat" Visioning community SOS panel aired by WEFT's Catch the Beat on 7/9 and 7/16. These shows are archived by WEFT here.
Aug. 20, 5:30pm:
Aug. 20, 5:30pm:
Listen to part 1 of Aug 2 "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Listen to part 1 of Aug 2 "A more perfect union": Building the world we ALL deserve SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Hosted by airshifter Cope Cumpston and recorded by Paul Meuth. Tune in or stream live on WEFT! More info
Archive of this show here for two weeks from broadcast: https://spinitron.com/WEFT/pl/20978773/Catch-The-Beat
Broadcast of July 4 "Art is the great democrat" Visioning community SOS panel aired by WEFT's Catch the Beat on 7/9 and 7/16. These shows are archived by WEFT here.
July 30, 5:30pm:
July 30, 5:30pm:
Listen to part 2 of July 5 "We the people": Advancing rights and justice SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Listen to part 2 of July 5 "We the people": Advancing rights and justice SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Hosted by airshifter Cope Cumpston. Tune in or stream live on WEFT! More info
Archive of this show here for two weeks from broadcast: https://spinitron.com/WEFT/pl/20978773/Catch-The-Beat
Broadcast of July 4 "Art is the great democrat" Visioning community SOS panel aired by WEFT's Catch the Beat on 7/9 and 7/16. These shows are archived here.
July 23, 5:30pm:
July 23, 5:30pm:
Listen to part 1 of July 5 "We the people": Advancing rights and justice SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Listen to part 1 of July 5 "We the people": Advancing rights and justice SOS panel on WEFT community radio (90.1fm)!
Hosted by airshifter Cope Cumpston. Tune in or stream live on WEFT! More info
Archive of this show here for two weeks from broadcast: https://spinitron.com/WEFT/pl/20978773/Catch-The-Beat
Broadcast of July 4 "Art is the great democrat" Visioning community SOS panel aired by WEFT's Catch the Beat on 7/9 and 7/16. These shows are archived here.
July 19, 2025
July 19, 2025
1-2:30pm @ the Channing-Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon, Urbana
ICE is now the largest law enforcement agency in the United States.
Racially-profiling, armed, masked, and often unidentified ICE agents are disappearing our neighbors.
Our communities are being terrorized.
Come listen to leaders speak about local defense work.
Let's prepare together to help all of us through this terrible new ICE Age.
SOS Surviving the ICE Age July 19 2025.pdfSOS! July 19 Come together: Surviving the new ICE Age SOS panel flyer available for download here!
July 16, 5:30pm:
July 16, 5:30pm:
Hosted by airshifter Cope Cumpston. Tune in or stream live on WEFT! More info
First segment of this SOS panel aired on WEFT 7/9. It is archived here.
JULY 4 WEEKEND PANELS
JULY 4 WEEKEND PANELS
July 4, 2025
July 4, 2025
11-12:30pm @ the Rose Bowl Tavern, 106 N. Race, Urbana
According to writer Ursula K. Le Guin, “Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art.” Learn from creative locals who collaborate with others through art and music to craft beautifully transformative spaces in CU as we celebrate our talented neighbors who build us up as part of our nation's history!
(The panel’s title references a 1962 statement issued by President John F. Kennedy: “Art is the great democrat, calling forth creative genius from every sector of society”. Following his assassination, JFK's statement and memory were honored in building the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, which, under our current regime, has since fallen victim to elite capture.)
July 5, 2025
July 5, 2025
10:30-12:30pm @ the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center (IMC), 202 S. Broadway, Urbana
Founding organizers of the Tenant Union, SisterNet, Champaign-Urbana Reparations Coalition, Amasong, and GirlZone and organizers from the Education Justice Project, Uniting Pride, the King’s Guard, the IMC, and the Public i discuss their work, share ancestral insights on effective collective leadership and solidarity movements, and help us know how to join and stand in solidarity with efforts strengthening our community.
Celebrate our leaders who bring us together to work for peace by ensuring rights and justice!
***
University of Illinois Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) founding organizers from the 1990s join current GEO collaborative leaders to discuss how young people in our city created and continue to lead a powerful union championing rights for workers. Learn how labor unions begin, and get involved.
These places work because we do!
Summer of Solidarity SOS 2025 Poster ALL FINAL.pdfSummer of Solidarity is here!
Summer of Solidarity is here!
Here is the official SOS poster!
Feel free to download, then post & share. Help spread the word!
(On a computer, click the image's corner to view & download) Created by uber-talented Anni Poppen of Mowgli Studio.
All SOS panels are free, all-ages, and open to the public.
The Summer of Solidarity catalyzes uplift of community-minded efforts that make our world better for future generations, despite the odds.
CU has a rich history of effective anti-authoritarian collective organizing that puts people before profit. Remember and reconnect to this legacy over our nation's birthday weekend as we reflect upon who we are and who we want to be.
For numerous reasons, not all impressive, important, or relevant members of CU's organizing histories and futures could take part in these volunteer-run SOS panels. It is our hope that SOS catalyzes many more public discussions helping us love our neighbors, know our histories, and do what is needed to stand together to say no to thugs in the days to come. We look forward to attending them.
The SOS coalition invites us to stand together in celebrating our caring, visionary collaborative leaders who make all of us stronger, and in challenging current and historical violence that targets, endangers, and criminalizes our communities.
Love your neighbors.
Remember our history.
Just say no to thugs.
Summer of Solidarity is here.
Summer of Solidarity (SOS) coalition organizers: Aimee Rickman and Loretta Gaffney.
SOS co-sponsors: Dixon Graphics, Illinois Humanities, the IMC, Mowgli Studio, and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
For more information: airiemail@yahoo.com | https://tinyurl.com/SOScu
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