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University maintains ban despite trauma victory
CHICAGO, IL — Today at 6 pm, activists banned from the University of Chicago campus will risk arrest to attend a teach-in and speak to students about free speech and institutional racism at the University. The activists are community members and University alumni who were permanently banned from the U of C campus after their participation in a sit-in at the University of Chicago administration building last June.
The University announced that it would provide funding and personnel for a South Side trauma center in September. However, organizers continue to push for the U of C to include community input in the planning process and to honor its earlier commitment to raise the age of its pediatric trauma center to 18.
This event comes during an ongoing national conversation about racism and free speech in universities. Recent events at Yale University and the University of Missouri have drawn increased attention to racism on college campuses, and a solidarity rally last Friday at the University of Chicago drew over 200 students.
“This ban is a clear violation of the University of Chicago’s commitment to free speech and open discourse,” said Natalie Naculich, a University of Chicago student. Recently, banned community members were forced to leave under threat of arrest when they attempted to attend a private meeting with students on campus.
Just two weeks ago, Veronica Morris-Moore, one of the banned activists, was invited by a student group to speak on a panel on the U of C campus, but had to be uninvited after the group’s funding was threatened. Over 75 faculty members have signed a letter demanding that the U of C administration lift the ban.
Despite the risk of arrest, the banned activists are determined to bring their message to University students. “This ban is a continuation of the University’s desire to silence community members and keep them out of decision-making processes,” said Veronica Morris-Moore, a member of Fearless Leading by the Youth and one of the banned activists. “We are prepared to be arrested if that is what it takes for our voices to be heard.”
The community’s demand for trauma care was sparked by the death of Woodlawn youth leader Damian Turner, and is led by the Woodlawn-based Fearless Leading by the Youth, along with the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, Students for Health Equity at the UofC, National Nurses United and many faith groups including the United Church of Christ.
The South Side is currently a trauma desert for adults, meaning that victims of shootings and other serious injuries must be taken over ten miles away, to the Near North Side or south west suburbs. The call for trauma care is also supported by a new study by the Illinois Department of Public Health which states that longer travel times to a trauma center increases the likelihood of dying, the study also states that the U of C is best positioned to expand access to trauma care, and that the U of C could further raise the age limit of their pediatric trauma center.
When/where: Stuart Hall (basement), UofC campus, 5835 S. Greenwood Ave
What: Teach-in with trauma center banned protesters on free speech and race
Who: Members of trauma care coalition — South Side youth, mothers, doctors, nurses, clergy, students
For more information, contact:
Natalie Naculich, 207-231-1819,
natalie.naculich@myfairpoint.net
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