Zombie Law in Illinois begins claiming Victims (Illinois Eavesdropping Law).
City Government
Patron Saint of Street Artists|Defender of Free Speech|Chicago’s Own
Patron Saint of Street Artists | Free Speech|Defender of the 1st Amendment Chris DREW
The Legacy of Chicago’s Own: Chris Drew, Street Artist. Artist, Advocate and Activist
…Upon hearing of his VICTORY over the Class 1 Felony Eavesdropping charges, after showing his passion, his determination to ensure and declare “Art IS Speech” , for his Challenges and mandate to abolishing the Peddler’s Ordinance (which he never got to challenge due to the most unexpected switch to felony upon arrest) to his withstanding the trials of grueling 2.5 years of court battle, (with probono Attorney Mark Weinberg, and probono Attorney Joshua Kutnick, his most strong archangels in defense) to his faith that the people, especially those who are most vulnerable against the dark forces, that all shall have 1st Amendment Rights, to Free Speech”
Chris Drew RIP (1950-2012) was heralded Patron Saint of Street Artists (first proclaimed by Kingdom, a street artist himself) and additionally, Defender of Free Speech!
and now the truth, the rest of the story, for all time, for history, as given to me, slowly revealed in many ways, and sometimes through dreams by all the powers that be, I now give you
the film.
11.14.14 Friday. Chicago Premiere at the Logan Theatre. doors open 6:30 screens at 7:30 p
Recommended by the Chicago Reader
~Nancy Bechtol, artist, inspired educator, filmmaker
No Justice No Peace: Diana Berek Speaks
No Justice No Peace : Berek Speaks
He (Chris Drew) wanted the City to re-examine the Harold Washington (Cultural) Plan. To de-centralize culture and bring it back into the neighborhoods. To de-centralize not only the initiatives, but the budgeting.
SEE/Hear Diana Berek
© 2012 video – Diana Berek: Chris Drew Legacy Interview #11. by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. From the series of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life work. © 2012 video/Chris Drew Legacy Interview #12. by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. talks with Diana Berek, speaks about her connection with Chris and a larger circle of concerns including grassroots connections, the early stages/feedback sessions on the Cultural Plan, advocacy for your own interests, Free Speech. Shot on location street side, B1E Gallery-Rogers Park. includes Lew Rosenbaum . Original Patches, designs by Diana Berek. This video is in a series (16) of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life.——————————————————————
Chicago Premiere at the Logan Theatre ,” Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” by Nancy Bechtol. Featuring indie Music by Behind the Sun-Andy Alton & David Mansfield “Paper Airplane” courtesy of Hey Now Records – one night only – 11.14.14 Friday 7:30 PM
See/Hear the Nancy Bechtol interview by Dan O’Donnell – Logan Square TV
An important documentary about street artist Chris Drew, and his challenges and victory defending First Amendment rights for all citizens, especially Artists. Chicago premiere at The Logan Theatre on Friday, 7:30pm November 14. The film, Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist is a film by Nancy Bechtol. Literally thousands of people across Chicago know Chris Drew, because of his vibrant presence in Chicago’s art community.
Original Music featured in the film is courtesy of Hey Now Records. http://www.heynowrecords.com “Paper Airplane” by Behind the Sun` Andy Alton & David Mansfield.
“First Amendment 2-Fer” : Curtis Black speaks
“First Amendment 2-Fer”:Curtis Black speaks
Is a new generation of Artists and Activists going to step up and push this? Is the City Council going to take another look at this Street Peddler Ordinance and make it a little less onerous for artists ( abolish/change the Street Peddler Ordinance)
See hear/ Curtis Black
..(Chris Drew) He had this wise-ness, and sort of wild-ness to him, which made a big impression on me. He had this cause, which was revising, reforming this very draconian was the Street Peddler’s Ordinance, which has a lot of intricacies which don’t foster free expression..
First time I wrote about him was in Dec. ’09 when he was arrested. He was held for 2 days in Cook County jail, and he finds out they are dropping the charges on the ordinance he wanted to challenge-and they were charging him with this Felony for Eavesdropping, which was an amazing thing to find out that that law existed. So the piece I did was the “First Amendment 2-Fer” He wanted to make one First Amendment challenge, and he’s ending up making a very serious second First Amendment challenge at the same time.
So one of his legacies is that Anita Alvarez (Ill. State’s Attorney) is kinda on the spot on this and a number of other areas where she’s not pursuing police misconduct, in fact, she seems to be protecting-covering up police misconduct..
another (legacy of Chris) is that he was part of questioning this Eavesdropping Law, and that has gained so much momentum..
in a large part, due to his efforts.
Update: March 2014. The Illinois Eavesdropping Law was abolished by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Curtis Black speaks© 2012 video/Chris Drew Legacy Interview . by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. This video is in a series of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life. Chris Drew Legacy Interviews (16) Curtis Black, at the time of this interview, was Editor of Newstips and with the Community Media Workshop. shot on location at CAN TV..—————————————————————————-
Chris Drew, Exec. Director (volunteer) for the nonprofit organization he founded, UM-CAC, Uptown Multicultural Arts Center, his dedication to community helped bridge the digital divide for those who did not have access to computers. He ran workshops on computer use/internet at the American Indian Center, Uptown, Chicago started in the 90s aimed at people who did not have access to the technology. He taught hundreds how to silkscreen, and was active/founder of the Art Patch Project (The Art Patch Project (APP) uses art to promote social justice and free speech rights. Originally started by Chris Drew, a champion for First Amendment rights, APP is a unique project combining art, grassroots organizing, participatory learning, community building and entrepreneurship to raise awareness about free speech rights and other social justice issues and the FREE SAM (Free Speech Artists Movement) His passion for the arts and supporting our rights as citizens, especially for artists, was his lifetime commitment.———————————————————————————————–Chicago Premiere at the Logan Theatre ,” Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” by Nancy Bechtol. Featuring indie Music by Behind the Sun-Andy Alton & David Mansfield “Paper Airplane” courtesy of Hey Now Records – one night only – 11.14.14 Friday 7:30 PM
See/Hear the Nancy Bechtol interview by Dan O’Donnell – Logan Square TV
An important documentary about street artist Chris Drew, and his challenges and victory defending First Amendment rights for all citizens, especially Artists. Chicago premiere at The Logan Theatre on Friday, 7:30pm November 14. The film, Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist is directed by Logan Square resident, Nancy Bechtol. Literally thousands of people across Chicago know Chris Drew, because of his vibrant presence in Chicago’s art community
Original Music featured in the film is courtesy of Hey Now Records. http://www.heynowrecords.com “Paper Airplane” by Behind the Sun` Andy Alton & David Mansfield.
“Courage is Like a Wild Horse” – Little Blue Bird speaks on Chris Drew’s Legacy
“Courage is Like a Wild Horse” : Little Blue Bird speaks
“Chris (Drew), he left his mark here, at the Center (American Indian Center)”..“..he was assertive when the call came for it.. ” I remember we were having a PowWow, and I saw him carrying all those TShirts, and on his bicycle!..he always kept his word” Chris was about encouraging people. ..He will be remembered.”~Sharon Okee-Chee Skolnick – Little Blue Bird_ Fort Sill-Apache Sioux
Bechtol notes: While I was deep into the process of editing this major film, Sharon gave me a a ‘doll’ she had handmade , “Comanche” an Apache warrior horse. I gazed upon the horse often, and The spirit of courage sustained me throughout the difficult times. “Where Courage Is Like a Wild Horse: The World of an Indian Orphanage” by
© 2012 video/Chris Drew Legacy Interview by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. Sharon Okee-Chee Skolnick, Artist and Archivist at the American Indian Center. Original Art in this Interview ©Sharon OKEE-Chee Skolnick. 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 bridge the digital divide and develop programs at the AIC. This video is in a series of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life.
—————————————–Chicago Premiere at the Logan Theatre ,” Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” by Nancy Bechtol. Featuring indie Music by Behind the Sun-Andy Alton & David Mansfield “Paper Airplane” courtesy of Hey Now Records – one night only – 11.14.14 Friday 7:30 PM
See/Hear the Nancy Bechtol interview by Dan O’Donnell – Logan Square TV
An important documentary about street artist Chris Drew, and his challenges and victory defending First Amendment rights for all citizens, especially Artists. Chicago premiere at The Logan Theatre on Friday, 7:30pm November 14. The film, Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist is directed by Logan Square resident, Nancy Bechtol. Literally thousands of people across Chicago know Chris Drew, because of his vibrant presence in Chicago’s art community
Original Music featured in the film is courtesy of Hey Now Records. http://www.heynowrecords.com “Paper Airplane” by Behind the Sun` Andy Alton & David Mansfield.
Media Justice|CAN TV|Chris Drew|Courage: Barbara Popovic speaks
Media Justice|Courage of Chris Drew | CAN TV’s Barbara Popvic speaks
A moment in his (Chris Drew) life came..he identified for the rest of us, the personal courage it takes..the willingness of an individual to go against power.
There is a power in us to take a stand as an individual. – Barbara Popovic, Executive Director of CAN TV
SEE/Hear Barbara Popovic
speak”:http://youtu.be/yfD72ZPha-w
© 2012 video/Chris Drew Legacy Interview #10. by Nancy Bechtol, APA Photojournalist. Barbara Popovic is the Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) EXEC Director. This video is in a series of people sharing insights to the artist/activist and his life.
Chris Drew, Exec. Director (volunteer) for the nonprofit organization he founded, UM-CAC, Uptown Multicultural Arts Center, was with CAN TV for 15 years -heavily showing with the Live Call in format. His passion for the arts and our rights as citizens, especially for artists, was his lifetime commitment.
The Bill of Rights..Religion, Press, Speech, Right of Assembly…then a pause.. Right to Petition the Government and Right to Redress
The First Amendment’s fifth right will come as a surprise to many. Only 1% of Americans even know that it exists.
The Right to Petition was central to constitutional law and politics in the early United States. It is the First Amendment’s capstone:
“Congress shall make no law … abridging … the right of the people …
to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
See more at: the Fifth Amendment. Right to Petition the Government
“People will say they believe in the 1st Amendment until they hear something they do not agree with…”
CAN TV is an independent nonprofit established by the City of Chicago in 1983 as the public’s space on cable television free of commercials, filters, and censors.On our five local channels you can see the diversity of people and ideas that reflect Chicago, including voices often excluded from the mainstream media.The city where neighbors can freely share their passions and talents with one another is the city that works better. For everyone.So step up, http://cantv.org/news/ make, watch, and support the people’s network in Chicago
———————————————————————————————–
Chicago Premiere at the Logan Theatre ,” Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” by Nancy Bechtol. Featuring indie Music by Behind the Sun-Andy Alton & David Mansfield “Paper Airplane” courtesy of Hey Now Records – one night only – 11.14.14 Friday 7:30 PM
See/Hear the Nancy Bechtol interview by Dan O’Donnell – Logan Square TV
An important documentary about street artist Chris Drew, and his challenges and victory defending First Amendment rights for all citizens, especially Artists. Chicago premiere at The Logan Theatre on Friday, 7:30pm November 14. The film, Free Speech and the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist is directed by Logan Square resident, Nancy Bechtol. Literally thousands of people across Chicago know Chris Drew, because of his vibrant presence in Chicago’s art community
FREE SPEECH & Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness 