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Greater Peoria Progressive Coalition
A new political coalition has been formed in Peoria, called the Greater Peoria Progressive Coalition, bringing together individuals in the city for increased political networking and coordination on the progressive Left. The coalition was formed over the summer of 2011, around the same time that individuals and groups in Bloomington-Normal were networking in a series … Continue reading
Occupy BloNo Marks Day of Action, Establishes Occupation of the Normal Circle
In solidarity with the Occupy movement’s National Day of Action, marking the movement’s second month, Occupy BloNo initiated a 12-hour encampment of the Circle in Uptown Normal. Occupy BloNo stands in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, which opposes the political and economic power possessed by corporations, banks and the wealthiest 1% The National … Continue reading
Workers and Allies Demand Jobs, Not Cuts
In a protest organized by MoveOn Bloomington-Normal, over 60 people gathered Thursday afternoon around Normal’s Sugar Creek bridge on Main Street to demand more money for jobs. The decrepit bridge and out-of-service pedestrian walkway served as a symbol for necessary infrastructure upgrades, which according to the protestors, could be accomplished and thereby provide desperately needed … Continue reading
Bloomington City Council Urges State Action on Predatory Lending
Opponents of predatory lending won a victory Monday night with the Bloomington city council’s 6-3 decision to recommend action on the issue to the Illinois state legislature. Illinois People’s Action and its supporters fought for a 36% cap on interest rates within city limits, targeting the 400% interest of payday lenders, but the city failed … Continue reading
Occupy BloNo Protests Money in Politics and Appearance by Condoleezza Rice
Occupy BloNo protested Friday afternoon outside an Aaron Shock (R-IL) fundraiser, at which former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke and signed copies of her new book. Occupy BloNo organized the protest to call attention to the role money plays in politics, and also criticized the honoring of Condoleezza Rice. Occupy participants protested Rice’s involvement … Continue reading
The Occupation of Withers Park and Chase Bank
Occupy BloNo occupied Withers Park in downtown Bloomington all day Saturday, on Bank Transfer Day, beginning at 11 am with the Really, Really Free Market providing free goods in front of PNC bank. The provision of free, useful goods to BloNo residents contrasted with PNC’s crass, destructive profit-making at the expense of the community. PNC … Continue reading
Vision 2020 Hosts Talk on Transition Strategies (Video/Pictures)
On Tuesday evening, November 1st, the sustainability organization – Vision 2020-Bloomington-Normal – held a panel discussion on local strategies for dealing with the converging crises of peak oil, climate change, and resulting economic disruption. Over 25 people attended the panel presentations and the subsequent break-out strategy sessions. The panel session was a follow-up event to … Continue reading
Solidarity with Scott Olsen and the Occupy Oakland General Strike
Occupy BloNo is holding today a solidarity event with the general strike called by Occupy Oakland, in protest of the police brutality there, where war veteran Scott Olsen was shot by Oakland police with a teargas canister and severely wounded. Numerous unions in Oakland have endorsed the one-day strike and some, like the Oakland Education … Continue reading
Rejecting Fire from Heaven (Video/Picture)
Titus Peachey, of the Mennonite Central Committee, spoke to a crowd of 50 people Sunday night on the principles of non-violence and peacemaking. Speaking at the Mennonite Church of Normal, Mr. Peachey drew upon biblical sources, in particular the parable of the Good Samaritan, to argue that violent methods are immoral and ineffective in any … Continue reading
Local Band Directory
Just BloNo 