“Chicago Talks” | “Free Speech…& Chris Drew” with Dr. Barb

October 30, 2014nancy bechtol Leave a comment

Chris Drew Legacy:Interview :Dr. Barbara Iverson, Columbia College-School of Journalism, Assoc Professor, Chicago Talks, Journalist. Video by:Nancy Bechtol, APA photojournalist©2012 .This interview is part of the Chris Drew Legacy Interviews series # people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life work. Barbara speaks about her connection with Chris and a larger circle of concerns including public rights, grassroots connections, the “art patches”, FCC, Free Speech, the Illinois Eavesdropping Law and the Constitution.

Two probono lawyers stepped up to defend Chris. First Mark Weinberg, Civil Rights Attorney, then Joshua Kutnick.

The Law was declared Unconstitutional in Chris’ case based on “wholly innocent conduct” March 2012 by Judge Sacks. Attorney Kutnick won vs IL State’s Attorney, Alvarez. Chris Drew RIP May 2012. The Illinois Supreme Court finally abolished the Law, March 2014. Now a feature documentary, “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist”. by Nancy Bechtol. 2014 release.

See/Hear :

Dr Barbara Iverson Interview

11.14.14 Chicago Premiere at Logan Theatre http://www.thelogantheatre.com/index.php/movies/coming-soon?view=showdetail&id=568 of indie doc “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (99 min) film by Nancy Bechtol. Music by Behind the Sun. Andy Alton & David Mansfield. “Paper Airplane” Courtesy of Hey Now Records. www.heynowrecords.com

Citizens Recording Police: First Amendment Right| Rep. Elaine Nekritz speaks

October 29, 2014nancy bechtol 1 Comment

Chris Drew Legacy:Interview-Rep Elaine Nekritz. video:Nancy Bechtol, APA photojournalist©2013 January. in collaboration with Dr. Barbara Iverson, Educator, Chicago Talks, Journalist. .thanks to crew,Hermann Wieland and Ron Grenko. Illinois Rep.(D) Elaine Nekritz, sponsored HB 3944 to amend the Illinois Eavesdropping Law (enacted in 1961) This is part of the Chris Drew Legacy Interviews #16 in the series of 16 people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life work. Attorney.Josh Kutnick was brought on the Defense/case by Attorney Mark Weinberg — after the case progressed and went from Peddling and First Amendment Challenge to criminal charges of Class 1 Felony Eavesdropping which carried 4-15 years in jail. . The Law was declared Unconstitutional in Chris’ case based on “wholly innocent conduct” March 2012 by Judge Sacks. Attorney Kutnick won vs IL State’s Attorney, Alvarez. Chris Drew RIP May 2012. The Illinois Supreme Court finally abolished the Law, March 2014. Now a feature documentary, “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist”. by Nancy Bechtol. 2014

See/Hear Illinois State Rep. Elaine Nekritz:

http://youtu.be/OrMU4IPvbCU Illinois Rep. Elaine Nekritz speaks

Arts|Activism|Community: Wapahi speaks on CDrew

October 28, 2014nancy bechtol Leave a comment

Robert Wapahi – Dakota- Nebraska, NE_ Artist. Chris Drew Legacy Interview -5 by Nancy Bechtol

Robert Wapahi is Native American Artist and former Board member of the Uptown Multi-Cultural Arts Center (UM-CAC)_Chris Legacy– Interview by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. On location. The American Indian Center. Chicago. Chris Drew, was the Exec. Director of UM-CAC(volunteer position) located/housed at AIC for 25 years. on the 3rd floor and was a part of the community and taught many how to silkscreen for free, use and repair computers and helped bridge the digital divide in the community., and participated, and helped develop programs at the AIC. This video is in a series of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life.

SEE/Hear Robert Waphai on YouTube interview:

http://youtu.be/ytwEUxmU-NI

“He is the only person I have seen come through here (the American Indian Center) that would avail himself to anybody, he didn’t care who they were ..he talked to everyone. He always made a statement..his focus was the arts and how to make it accessible. He was not bashful about making a statement how he felt about driving while “black or brown”.. we still have not forgotten him.”

Robert is featured in the indie feature documentary, by Nancy Bechtol

11.14.14

“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (99 min) film by Nancy Bechtol. Music by Behind the Sun – Andy Alton & David Mansfield “Paper Airplane” courtesy of Hey Now Records. http://www.heynowrecords.com

The film- will have its Chicago premiere on November 14 at the Logan Theater.

Community|Native American connection : Drew..”the spirit ..to fight for what is right”

October 27, 2014nancy bechtol Leave a comment

JOE PODLASEK-Ojibwe-Polish ‘Standing Buffalo Leader of People’ Currently CEO, Trickster Art Gallery

former Exec Dir Amer Indian Center_Chris Legacy– Interview by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. On location. The American Indian Center. Chicago. Chris Drew, was the Exec. Director of the Uptown Multi-Cultural Arts Center (volunteer position) located/housed at AIC for 25 years. on the 3rd floor and was a part of the community and taught many how to silkscreen for free, use and repair computers, and participated, and helped develop programs at the AIC. This video is in a series of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life.
Joe Podlasek: “…the spirit of who he (Chris) was, to fight for what is right.”
…he gave opportunities to people..he always wanted to teach and share.”

SEE/Hear Joe Podlasek on YouTube interview:

http://youtu.be/fHjO6ZYfCOY

Joe is featured in the indie feature documentary, by Nancy Bechtol

11.14.14

“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” The film- will have its Chicago premiere on November 14 at the Logan Theater.

Spirits in Logan Theatre welcome the Film – Tech Check Good to go for 11.14.14!

October 25, 2014nancy bechtol Leave a comment

Chris Drew on location Silkscreening at May Day Rally ©nancy bechtol

READY | Logan Tech Check Good 2 go! 11.14.14.

View of the Logan Theatre from Projection Booth (with Orlando, he is surrounded with films high above all and makes the magic happen) photos also shot in theatre 2- secretly known as the haunted theatre. The spirits welcomed the film! Tech Check good. “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (99 min) film by Nancy Bechtol. Music by Behind the Sun- Andy Alton & David Mansfield-“Paper Airplane” courtesy of Hey Now Records. http://www.heynowrecords.com. It was amazing to see the film- shot in 5 formats from DSLR to Cell and whatever I had at the time) that took 5 years (plus clips from 10 yrs ago of peace marches in 2002 and on the streets, including Occupy 2011 and the Critical Mass tribute ride for Chris 2012) In gratitude for being able to tell the story, finally. hope you can see this one. very Chicago with the deep commitment of a determined spirit, Chris Drew. Yes, the Spirits of Theatre 2 welcomed him. smile.

Special “sneek preview short” Chris Drew’s Free Speech Challenge

October 24, 2014nancy bechtol Leave a comment

I made this short video in 2010 as the case progressed to get the word out for Chris.

FREE SPEECH & Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness

Special “preview short” Chris Drew’s Free Speech Challenge

Special “preview short video” herein (4.30 min) highlights the struggle for free speech and rights as citizens- which impacts us all. Includes interview by WGN on the street, first dollar for sale of Art Patch, and clip of arrest. Upcoming 11.14.14 feature indie documentary (99 min) Premieres at Logan Theatre Fri eve- tickets now online and at box -one night only. “Free Speech & the...more

http://lnkd.in/bqRq5hC
Chris Drew – Protests Chicago’s Peddlers License- Street Artist…
youtu.be
Chris Drew has been fighting to repeal the 1994 Chicago Peddler’s license which prohibits aritists to sell their art in Chicago. This video shows Chis on location downtown selling art, being interviewed by WBBM AM Radio 780. He was…

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Special “sneek preview short” Chris Drew’s Free Speech Challenge

October 24, 2014nancy bechtol 1 Comment

Special “preview short” Chris Drew’s Free Speech Challenge

Civil Rights Attorney Weinberg defended Chris Drew, Street Artist

October 22, 2014nancy bechtol 1 Comment

Civil Rights Attorney Weinberg defended Chris Drew

Mark Weinberg, ’88, Featured in Free Speech Documentary
law.uchicago.edu

http://lnkd.in/bAFVnkY

Civil rights specialist Mark Weinberg, ’88, defended artist Chris Drew pro bono after he was charged with a felony violation of Illinois’ Eavesdropping Law. Now Weinberg is featured in a documentary about the artist. From the press release:

Chris Drew, who passed away 2012, was the long-time Executive Director of The Uptown Multi-Cultural Arts Center (UM-CAC) located in the American Indian Center.In 2009, Chris asked [filmmaker Nancy Bechtol] (with 2 friends) to accompany him and document his attempt to get arrested for peddling art patches with messages of social awareness and artistic ideas to challenge Chicago’s Peddler’s Ordinance.

Chris was arrested for selling art patches for $1, (peddling) but since he had a personal tape recorder, charges changed to a felony violation of Illinois’ Eavesdropping Law by Illinois State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, which carried 4-15 years in jail if convicted. In 2009 this law was generally unknown. Two pro bono Attorneys defended him. First, Mark Weinberg challenged on the free speech constitutional ground; then Joshua Kutnick, criminal defense, defended, and won in the courtroom of Judge Sachs, on the felony charges in 2012.

See/hear Weinberg on the |Chris Drew Legacy Interviews| on YouTube.

• “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” The film- will have its Chicago premiere on November 14 at the Logan Theater.
http://thelogantheatre.com/index.php/movies/coming-soon?view=showdetail&id=568

Police Tape, a documentary about cops |cameras- by Wolf | see Drew connection

October 20, 2014nancy bechtol 1 Comment

Film by Josh Wolf includes excerpts of video of Chris Drew by Nancy Bechtolhttp://vimeo.com/55658550
11.14.14. at Logan Theatre Chicago Premiere of “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (99 min) 2014 a film by Nancy Bechtol

commented on Vimeo from madpalX:
FREE SPEECH! Yes, very glad you (Josh Wolf) came to Chicago to interview Chris Drew, great tape. great advocacy. important historical context. good to see my footage on the arrest included. you make a difference.

—————————————————————–

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3505448/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_1

News/posts on Chris Drew
imdb.com/title/tt3505448/externalsites

Artist sells art for $1 and is charged with Class 1 Felony Eavesdropping- Chicago, Illinois

http://www.logantheatre.com 11.14,14

“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” now a feature doc.

Coming! 11.14.14. Logan Theatre “Chris Drew– Chicago made Film is “David vs Goliath”

October 19, 2014nancy bechtol Leave a comment

Coming! 11.14.14. Logan Theatre- Chicago Indie film quote Bruce Scivally, Documentary Filmmaker & Author REVIEW:
“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” is not your typical narrative documentary,but rather a mesmerizing, experiential—and experimental—film more akin to an art film,
which is appropriate considering that its subject is an artist.
Chris Drew set out to challenge Chicago’s street vending laws,
but ended up being a champion of free speech
when he was charged with felony eavesdropping for recording his arrest.
His fight to then overturn the eavesdropping law
became a true David-versus-Goliath tale,
with the efforts of the maverick Drew captured by maverick filmmaker Nancy Bechtol.
The result is an engrossing and timely film.”

~ Bruce Scivally, Documentary Filmmaker & Author
“Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway”
and co-author of the book “James Bond: The Legacy” with John Cork.

“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” is not your typical.. Indie music courtesy of Hey Now Records heynowrecords.com

.more
Coming! 11.14.14. Logan Theatre

FREE SPEECH & Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness

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Month: October 2014

“Chicago Talks” | “Free Speech…& Chris Drew” with Dr. Barb

Citizens Recording Police: First Amendment Right| Rep. Elaine Nekritz speaks

Arts|Activism|Community: Wapahi speaks on CDrew

Community|Native American connection : Drew..”the spirit ..to fight for what is right”

Spirits in Logan Theatre welcome the Film – Tech Check Good to go for 11.14.14!

Special “sneek preview short” Chris Drew’s Free Speech Challenge

Special “sneek preview short” Chris Drew’s Free Speech Challenge

Civil Rights Attorney Weinberg defended Chris Drew, Street Artist

Police Tape, a documentary about cops |cameras- by Wolf | see Drew connection

Coming! 11.14.14. Logan Theatre “Chris Drew– Chicago made Film is “David vs Goliath”

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