The arts of war

With the oncoming war with Iraq, Chicago artists are taking the situation into their own hands. Across the city, whether it's filmmakers, visual artists, musicians or even standup comedians, organizations are creating antiwar programming. Visually, there is the Museum of Contemporary Art exhibit, "War, What is it good for?", which has been running since January, and "Terrorist Art: Protesting War," at the Polvo Art Studio in the Pilsen. Despite the never-ending bad news and terror alerts, sketch-comedy giants Second City hope to find a balance and make people laugh with their soon-to-open "Oh, no, we're all gonna die." Executive Producer Kelly Leonard notes, "It can be hard to write a show like this, but it's important to contribute to dialogue."

Plans for attack

With an attack on Iraq imminent, frustrated local peace activists can take some solace in the "emergency response" plan that local activists have put in place for war's arrival. The (potentially) mass outrage starts at 5pm on the day of any attack, with a gathering at Federal Plaza (Adams and Dearborn). A "speak out" is scheduled an hour later at the Methodist Temple on Clark and Washington. Another 5pm Federal Plaza rally is scheduled for the next day, although Michael McConnell of the American Friends Service Committee said the site is subject to change if the plaza is blocked off. Meanwhile, starting at 8am on the day after an initial attack, The Iraq Peace Pledge will spearhead a series of sit-downs and other acts of civil disobedience throughout the Loop. McConnell says anyone interested in joining the action, either as a protester prepared to be arrested or, for the fainter of heart, as logistical backup to keep track of where protesters were taken and to notify family members, can contact his group at (312)427-2533. The same day several groups are calling for all area students to walk out of class at noon. Smaller protests will also take place the day of the attack at the monument in Logan Square at 4pm and at Scoville Park (the intersection of Oak Park and Lake) in Oak Park at 5pm. More information can be found by calling the Iraq Peace Pledge Chicago's hotline, (312)494-5840, or the Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism (312)458-9559. Online info is available at peaceChicago.org or chicago.indymedia.org, which offers links to numerous sites and a list of potential targets complete with maps for any civil-disobedience freelancers out there.

(2003-03-19)

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