[CIMC-working] sergeant's request

[Ian Bicking]

Lessee... here's my suggestion on a response:

Dear Mr. Hoffman,

We appreciate you contacting the Chicago Indymedia Center regarding the
upcoming TABD conference and associated protests.  We want to be
extremely clear on CIMC's role regarding this and all other protests --
we are a journalistic organization: we do not lead, organize, or advise
any protests or actions.  When reporting for Chicago Indymedia our
journalists are necessarily present at these actions, and will do their
utmost to cover the event.  To do this our journalists will be among the
protesters, and will accompany the protesters wherever there are
noteworthy events.

As an important news outlet for local progressive organizations CIMC is
in close contact with activists and is a frequent outlet for press
releases and other news regarding planned activities.  We sometimes give
more prominent notice on events we think would be of interest to our
readers.  This forum is an essential resource for meaningful free speech
to exist and to facilitate communication among citizens.  You should not
confuse this role with any organizational tie or endorsement.

It is of great importance to Chicago Indymedia that you understand and
respect the role of CIMC journalists.  We expect to be treated similarly
to other news outlets in Chicago.  That we move more freely among the
protesters is only evidence that we understand and are more comfortable
with our subjects than many in the mainstream media -- we seek to report
on the motivations of the protesters in addition to the actions and
responses.  We have every expectation that you will respect our free
speech rights, and as Americans we will defend those rights vigorously.

Thank you for your interest in Chicago Indymedia.  If you have any more
questions feel free to ask us.  (We should include some sort of contact
information here... imc-chicago@lists.indymedia.org...?  A private email
address?  chicago@indymedia.org?  I vote for chicago@indymedia.org --
it's not personal, but it's not a list, though I'd tell Elizabeth to
forward anything to imc-chicago-working -- I can put
chicago@indymedia.org on the From address as well)

Please forward this to Assistant Deputy Superintendent Ron Huberman and
any other officials you deem appropriate.

Sincerely,
  Chicago Indymedia Collective


On Mon, 2002-10-28 at 00:34, Chris Kaihatsu wrote:
> In the interest of moving things along and formulating a response to the
> sergeant, are there any further comments on the subject? I'm open to the
> last proposal, if that person (excuse my lack of details) would like to
> draft language, or whatever.
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> Chris
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> _________________________________________________
> Why the US plans to bomb Iraq and not North Korea
> http://wsws.org/articles/2002/oct2002/kor-o21.shtml
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> _______________________________________________
> Imc-chicago-working mailing list
> Imc-chicago-working@lists.indymedia.org
> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-chicago-working