Latest news with #AlmaMater
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pro-Palestine protestors gather outside of Champaign City Council meeting as new members are sworn in
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign City Council swore in five new members Tuesday night, but it was some activity outside the city building drawing some eyes. There were around 35 people at the city council meeting, and many of those took to the mic during public comment. Less than a week after protests at the Alma Mater, protests against the war in Gaza happened outside the Champaign City Council meeting on Tuesday. READ MORE: Pro-Palestine student protestors return to Alma Mater at U of I 'It's been heartbreaking to see the disrespect city officials show our Palestinian neighbors,' said Sara Saboowala, who was one of the organizers and a member of the CU Muslin Action Committee. 'We are here to mark the anniversary of one year of community demonstration and petition for the Champaign City Council to take a stand against genocide,' Saboowala said. 'We've been met with one year of silence and we're here to show that the community still stands together in support of Palestinian liberation.' The protest started about a half hour before the meeting began and continued when the council opened the floor for public comment. 'As the people that you all represent, or at least claim to represent, we demand divestment now,' said one speaker. And others who talked came with a different viewpoint. 'You can protest in America obviously all you want, but unless you're ready to recognize the right of Israel to exist, there's really no conversation to have,' WCIA reached out to the City of Champaign for comment. They said: 'The city council has addressed this many times publicly during their meetings over the last year. We do not have anything further to add.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Lead with collaboration'; Urbana leaders sworn in
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Saturday marked a new era of leadership in Urbana. New and returning city leaders were sworn in to service, now tasked with paving the way for how the city moves forward. Among those leaders, Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams took the stage for a moment years in the making. Pro-Palestine student protestors return to Alma Mater at U of I 'We will lead with collaboration ensuring that all voices are heard,' Williams said. Williams announced his candidacy back in 2022. He defeated fellow Democrat Annie Adams in February's primary and ran unopposed in the general election last month. With weeks of preparation and transition materials under his belt, he's one step closer to his realized dream. As the first Black man in the role, he said his success shows that a person's story doesn't have to end how it started. Champaign community honors stabbing victim through skateboarding 'I know what it's like to be judged before I speak or to be seen as a threat before I am seen,' Williams said. 'As a person, my lived experience drives my mission. I am not here to perform; I am simply here to transform.' Williams said he's already working on ways to combat crime, create jobs and reduce homelessness. Along with his fellow elected officials, he will be administered at the City Council meeting on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pro-Palestine student protestors return to Alma Mater at U of I
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — About a year after pro-Palestine protests at the Alma Mater statue, a group of student demonstrators returned to campus Friday afternoon. Similar to last year, they're demanding the University of Illinois divest from companies backing Israel and the war in Gaza. This year the group also voiced their concerns around visa revocation for international students and asked the U of I to provide stronger protections for international students. Champaign-Urbana MTD bringing on help to push through development WCIA talked with one protester who did not want her name shared and the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on campus. 'It's sick and disgusting how our university is ignoring it, how they refuse to stand behind their students even though they pride themselves about diversity, equity, inclusion and how they want to be forward or future leaning or whatever they want to say,' the protestor said. 'But we're here for many reasons, but most of all it's to fight against imperialism.' 'Everyone should have the right to demonstrate and to protest, but also everyone has to follow the rules that's done within the rules of the university or within the rules of our cities and states, and that's about balance,' said Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel. 'We want to make sure that everybody feels safe, everyone feels secure and everyone feels welcome.' The CU Muslim Action Committee is also planning a protest at the next Champaign City Council meeting on May 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
