Organizing for Artists’ Rights
The cabbage whites are alive and eating my collards, broccoli, and brussels sprouts.
This wasp is my friend. He loves to eat fat cabbage white caterpillars leaving only a small puddle of juice behind when he (she?) strikes.
But somewhere in many other under-leaf, hidden locations are the cabbage white eggs. As the wasp eats another caterpillar the cabbage white butterfly dances in the air about the garden laying many more eggs. Threat and response. I believe the Peace movement can adopt to a hostile media climate by developing grass-roots media, like patches, to promote ideas in visually exciting ways that the people find fun.
I went to the ANSWER planning meeting on Thursday night (6/28/07) to speak about the 6 locations downtown where speech can be sold with a peddlers license and a speech permit. I arrived late and refused the offer of a seat by one of the attendees. Next to the literature table I sat down. There I arranged my inks and printing screen. As I listened to the speakers explain the politics of several of the organizations mobilizing the peace protests. They outlined ANSWER’S positions and strategies. I have little understanding of their local strategy. So I kept printing as they continued, knowing that even if I did not get a chance to speak that my actions spoke as loud as my words.
At the end, when I had printed quite a pile of patches, John, the host, invited me to make a statement to the group.
I explained how the Municipal laws and Federal laws clash on the rights of activists and artists (citizens) leaving the actual rights of citizens to sell their political, artistic and religious expressions (free speech) to be won by struggle or to be lost by default. I offered to teach anyone who wanted to take advantage of these “Free speech” locations to present their political views to a downtown Chicago audience using screen printing to attend our free Screen Print Workshop for Artists at 1630 W. Wilson Avenue most Sunday afternoons from 3-6pm. 773/561-7676.
I concluded by inviting those present to consider encouraging young artists or dedicated activists to attend our workshop. I suggested they should consider developing a fund-raising promotion campaign using these six excellent sites set-up by the city council as “Free Speech” corners. I acknowledged that people should not have to have a peddlers license to access speech rights but claimed that until we used and proved the opportunities provided by the city to be inadequate, we could not press the courts to extend speech rights (see court cases lost by city and the court’s definition of “ample alternative”). I know that volunteer organizations like this have little extra manpower to accomplish efforts but I am looking to find persons one at a time to help create a positive scene at these six locations. Everywhere I go I intend to print a design and report to you, my blog participants.
P.S. This blog is being spammed badly and to communicate with me your comments please email me at cdrew@c-drew.com with “free the artists” in the subject line.
The garden is my symbol for growth and renewal. I go to it to gain inspiration and relaxation. This blog will need me to work at presenting my photography as well as my screen printing. The adventures of printing in public will provide the story while the issues of free speech and the act of speaking out will supply substance. I hope those who tune in will find this true.