Coalition Sit-in at Swanlund

A coalition of students, faculty, alumni, community members and Native peoples has occupied the University of Illinois Swanlund Administration Building on campus. The occupation, which began early Thursday morning (4/15), is "in protest of the Board's refusal to address racism on campus and their most recent and reckless disregard for democracy," the latter comment referring to the cancelled April 15 Board of Trustees meeting and proposed changes in Board agenda rules.

Employees showing up for work at Swanlund Thursday morning were politely turned away by those inside.

Late Thursday afternoon, a short meeting was held by the University police, the Chancellor, and coalition representatives. Those inside the building then began preparing to spend the night, while University police asked that the sidewalks be cleared. Nothing further (in the way of meetings) will occur before tomorrow morning.

Black Faculty & Academic Professionals Alliance call for Chief Retirement

The Black Faculty & Academic Professionals Alliance has called for retirement of the chief. In a statement released today (Friday 4/16), they noted the "bitter and escalating discussion regarding the existence of Chief Illiniwek," and continued:

"BFAPA officially declares in unison with other individuals and organizations the need for action and urge the Board of Trustees to retire Chief Illiniwek as the official mascot of the University. As people of color, we view Chief Illiniwek as a racist symbol that divides the university and the local community at a time when both are striving to become more diverse. As people of color we have fought for the removal of racist and demeaning symbols. Native Americans have repeatedly voiced their desire for the University to remove Chief Illiniwek and we stand with them in full support. If the use of a symbol offends one person it was meant to honor, then that symbol dishonors all ... Chief Illiniwek must be retired to a "respectful" place in University history and replaced by a symbol that unites rather than divides."

Their full statement may be found here.

Statement from protesters

The following is an excerpt of a press release:

"The Board's inaction on this issue has made this occupation both necessary and inevitable. After 15 years, the anti-"Chief" movement has exhausted all other means of demonstrating that race-based mascots are racist, offensive, and have no place at world-class institutions of higher education such as the University of Illinois...

"The anti-"Chief" movement is asking that the U of I Board of Trustees:

Immediately eliminate "Chief Illiniwek" (the dance, logo, and name) as the symbol of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
1. Issue a formal apology to the local, state, and national Native American communities and communities of color for the hurt and harassment that this mascot and surrounding controversy have caused.

2. Increase stable and permanent funding for the Native American, Latino/a, African American, Asian American, and other minority studies programs and cultural houses on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus."

Scenes from the protest

Click on image below for movie (QT, 1.3 MB)

Click on image below for movie (QT, 1.9 MB)

Click on image below for movie (QT, 1.2 MB)

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Click on image below for movie (QT, 2 MB)

Remember?      March 15, 2004      Native Americans protest at the University of Illinois

Ten Reasons to Retire The Chief

1. Diversity. We do want a diverse, inclusive atmosphere welcoming of all cultures. 2. Stereotypes. The Chief perpetuates harmful, insulting stereotypes of Native people in a big way. 3. Publicity. The presence of the Chief has brought national disapproval to an outstanding University. 4. Racism. It was not the intention, and no one likes the "R" word, but Native Americans are very upset by the presence of Chief Illiniwek. 5. Children. Powerful stereotypes are particularly harmful to children - their self esteem and school performance.

6. Accuracy. Let's be honest - the Chief isn't the real thing. The dance is part of half-time entertainment. 7. Honor. Native Americans are not honored. Quite the contrary, they have made it clear they are quite offended. 8. NCAA. In case you missed it, the NCAA has made it clear they are unhappy with American Indian mascots. 9. Choices. Potential faculty and students have chosen not to teach or attend the University because of the Chief. 10. Image. Call the Chief a symbol or a mascot - he is a public figure that harms the University's image.