Safety, order chief concerns in debate
Today's dialogue expected to go smoothly

by Jennifer Tempest
Daily Illini reporter

Today's Chief dialogue at Foellinger Auditorium will likely attract protesters outside the building, but University police say they will be prepared.

Capt. Kris Fitzpatrick said the police plan to take precautions to ensure campus safety during the dialogue.

"We will have a presence at the dialogue to ensure that those who are registered to speak will have an opportunity to do so," Fitzpatrick said, "and that those who want to protest will do so in an orderly fashion, just as we would in any other such event on the Quad."

Michael Drish, a sophomore in LAS and chairman of research and alumni relations for Students for Chief Illiniwek, said he does not foresee pro-Chief groups protesting.

"As far as I know, all of the other organizations that are speaking in support of the Chief are not protesting," Drish said. "There is nothing for us to protest because we agree with the board's decision to hold a dialogue."

John Madigan portrays Chief Illiniwek and said he feels the debate will be a fair method of expression for supporters and opponents of the Chief.

"The dialogue session is going to be enough of a vehicle for everyone to express their views," Madigan said.

At the dialogue, approximately 20 organizations and 47 speakers will present their views opposing or supporting the mascot. The discussion will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Judge Louis Garippo, a former Cook County circuit court judge, will preside. Later this year, he will compile a three-part statement that the board of trustees will review. The board will be responsible for making the final statement about the fate of Chief Illiniwek.

Brooke Anderson, senior in LAS, co-coordinator of Progressive Resource/Action Cooperation and one of today's speakers, said she sees a need to confront the board and make known the anti-Chief views. She said speaking at the dialogue is only one way to challenge the board to re-evaluate the Chief's use as a mascot.

"Speaking is one way," she said, "and direct action is another way."

Members of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media, based in Minneapolis, have planned a rally outside Foellinger during the dialogue. Cyd Crue, a fourth-year graduate student and vice president of the local coalition chapter, said the rally will give anti-Chief protesters who are not speaking inside a chance to speak.