photo and indie film features true story: “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (99 min) by Nancy Bechtol–Released/premiered 2014 at Logan Theatre, Chicago
this is excerpted from the Wikipedia Article:
Alvarez had prosecuted individuals under the Eavesdropping Act for recording police in public. Chris Drew recorded his non-violent arrest for street peddling of art. The peddling charge was dropped and Alvarez pursued the much harsher charge of recording police officers voice’s without their permission.[9] This charge could have a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.[10] Criminal Courts Judge Stanley Sacks dismissed the case on 2 March 2012, stating that the eavesdropping law was unconstitutional and that it was too broad and criminalized innocent behavior. Alvarez announced that she would appeal the ruling.[11] The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois successfully sued Anita Alvarez and she was ordered to stop prosecuting the ACLU employees and their agents under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act.[12] Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ruled that the Illinois Eavesdropping Act, 720 ILCS 5/14, violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution when used as a method to prevent the open recording of law enforcement’s audible communications in public places while performing official duties, or the communications of others that are incidentally captured.[13] It was ruled that Cook County would have to pay the legal fees of the ACLU which amounted to $645,549.[14]
Month: July 2015
INVITE to connect from beyond? CDrew Artist/Activist (RIP 1950-2012)
INVITE to connect from beyond? CDrew,Artist/ Activist (RIP 1950-2012)
Jul 22, 2015
Coincidence?? Truth always stranger than “made up stuff”
LinkedIn sends me an invite to connect with
Chris Drew…
only issue– he passed on 2 years ago.
Do you believe in the power of the spirit beyond physical death?
and I shout back to Chris, “your story will be told and have a longtime impact on many!”
..And all this happens On the same day of screening confirmation from Joseph Ravens at DEFIBRILLATOR(a.k.a dfbrL8r or dfb) is a non-profit organization
http://dfbrl8r.org/about
Screening is Aug 15th, Sat. 2015. (mark your calendar! )
Chris, artist and defender of the First Amendment, gave his life and dedicated his energies to overturn the Peddler’s Licence. But this challenge unbelievably ended up facing a Class One Felony Eavesdropping charges with 4-15 years in prison.-(in 2008 for audio recording his own arrest!) if convicted but he won with 2 probono attorneys Weinberg and Kutnick! THIS is a true story. Rooted in Chicago – my indie film, “Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (99 min) with the soundtrack of “Paper Airplane” by Alton & Mansfield courtesy of Hey Now Records. has very deep/grassroots connections which transcends boundaries!
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Here is his LinkedIN profile:
Chris Drew
Executive Director at Uptown Multi-Cultural Art Center
Greater Chicago Area Arts and Crafts
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- Invited
Background
Summary
My goal is to establish Uptown Multi-Cultural Art Center as an institution with a paid staff and then go on to establish my own career and web site online. Along side of this I wish to work at long term part-time jobs in the creative and/or non-profit industries to further these aims. My creative, office and management skills make me a valuable and cost effective employee to any small or large business.
Specialties:proposal writing, office management, HTML coding, computer troubleshooting, repair and management, Photoshop, GIMP, Web site development, web site management, photography, screen-printing, layout, design, public relations, press release writing, radio spot writing, office software, letter writing.
Experience
Executive Director
Uptown Multi-Cultural Art Center
– Present (28 years 7 months)
Founder and continuous manager of this community arts organization accomplishing over 20 years of steady arts programming with an all volunteer force. Imagine what we could do with a paid staff!
Faculty – Computer Basics
NAES College
– (4 years 8 months)
Taught computer literacy and basic office applications to beginning and intermediate students.
Computer Lab maintenance.
Education
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
art, journalism, arabic, chemistry
Additional Info
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Interests
FREE SPEECH & Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness 