Chicago Anti-Bashing Network
 
Report on Protest
Against the Salvation Army


A group described by CLTV as "angry activists" protested the Salvation Army's antigay teachings and discrimination in hiring and employment benefits last Friday on State and Randolph Streets.  The sidewalk was crowded with holiday shoppers, window gazers, and Salvation Army bell ringers.  Marchers carried signs that proclaimed "Salvation Army Discrimination Has Got to Go," "Stop Anti-Gay Discrimination," the Salvation Army shield with the slash sign, "Charity 'Yes' Hate 'No'" and "Don't Give to the Kettle of Hate." 

CABN Coordinating Committee member Bob Schwartz was quoted in the CLTV piece as saying, "It's discrimination.  If African-Americans or women were targeted today, it wouldn't be tolerated.  Nor should it be.  But we're still fair game for some, and we're tired of it."  Joining CABN in the protest were the Metropolitan Community Churches (Great Lakes District) and the Glenview chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

Rev. Gordon McCoy, West Area Coordinator of the Great Lakes District of Metropolitan Churches, spoke at the rally pointing out that he had both "good and bad news."  The fact that Jerry Falwell of 'Twinkie Winkie-is-gay' infamy has taken notice of the campaign of "homosexual activists" targeting the Salvation Army cuts two ways.  Falwell spewing his antigay rhetoric is bad, said Gordon; yet the fact that he has noticed our campaign is a sign of our strength. 

Donna Blaha, president of Glenview PLFAG condemned religious bigotry as promoting violence against people simply based upon sexual orientation.  The mother of a gay son and lesbian daughter, the latter marching with both her parents in the protest, Donna called for religious people to practice the love that they preach. 

Detroit PFLAGer Mike Neubecker was in town visiting family for the holidays and took time out to attend the protest.  For 10 years Mike was a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, but put an end to his volunteering for them to protest their policies against people like his gay son.  "I've done it for 10 years, but I'm not doing it anymore.  I used to overlook some of their anti-gay policies, but with this 'faith-based initiative,' I just couldn't do it any longer."

CABN, MCC & PFLAG are asking anyone who is disturbed by the Salvation Army's discrimination to drop protest cards into the Salvation Army kettles instead of cash.  These cards are available from the MCC churches in the area, and are printed on the protest flyers which have been distributed in most of the LGBT businesses in the city.  In these times of economic hardship, we also ask that while ceasing to give to the Salvation Army, that everyone please continue giving to non-discriminatory charities to help those in need.

Reporters from the Chicago Free Press, WBBM radio, Channels 2, 7, 32 and CLTV were present.  The downstate LGBT newspaper Prairie Flame said they will carry a front page photo of the protest in their next edition and the San Diego Gay & Lesbian Times said they also will probably run a story with pictures from Chicago.

Supporters of the campaign against Salvation Army antigay bias and discrimination are urged to print this message and clip the protest note below, dropping it into their nearest Salvation Army canister in lieu of a cash donation.
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Dear Salvation Army,

While I appreciate the good works that you do in terms of feeding, clothing, and housing the poor and needy, I am appalled by your attempt this past summer to subvert local and state civil rights laws and the recent recision of health benefits to gay and other adult companions of your employees in the West Territory.  Because of your homophobic policies, I am bypassing your Red Kettles this season and will be giving my charitable contributions to organizations friendly to the gay and lesbian community.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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Next Salvation Army Protest Set!
2 pm, Sunday, Dec. 16

Anti-Salvation Army coalition partners Metropolitan Community Churches (Great Lakes District), Glenview PFLAG, and CABN have set another protest for 2 pm, Sunday, December 16  in front of the Salvation Army display at the Hancock Building (875 N. Michigan Avenue).* 

Our goal for the second protest is to get many more organizations signed on as active supporters.  Some 50% of the Salvation Army's income comes from kettle donations during the holidays, so they are particularly vulnerable to protests cutting into their income, and NOW is the time to send the message: Please Don't Give to the Kettle of Hate!

To help organize this protest, please attend the next CABN meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5 - 7 p.m., Ann Sather's Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont, 2nd floor (see calendar below).

*How to get to the protest 


Take public transportation if possible-street parking is scarce and parking garages are expensive. 

By "el":  Take the Red Line to the "Chicago" stop.  Walk 4 blocks east to Michigan Avenue.  Turn left and walk 2 blocks north to the address.

By car:  From Lake Shore Drive -- Exit the Drive at the Chicago Avenue exit.  Drive west 3 blocks to Michigan Avenue.  Turn right on Michigan and go two blocks north to Delaware.  Turn right on Delaware (at the Hancock Building) and there is a parking garage right behind the Hancock.

From the Kennedy Expressway, southbound (from Northwest Side & North Suburbs) -- Exit the Kennedy at Ogden Avenue.  Turn left on Ogden, drive a few blocks north to Chicago Avenue.  Turn right on Chicago and drive about 1-1/2 miles to Water Tower Park (a small park on the north side of the street, three blocks after State Street, one block before Michigan Ave).  Turn left on the unmarked street in the park and go one block north to Pearson Street.  Turn right on Pearson and go east again to Michigan Avenue.  Turn left on Michigan and go one block north to Delaware Street.  Turn right on Delaware at the Hancock Building.  There is a parking garage on the north side of Delaware Street right behind the Hancock Building.

From the Kennedy Expressway, northbound -- Exit the Kennedy at Augusta/Milwaukee.  Turn left on Milwaukee at the end of the exit ramp.  Go southbound on Milwaukee about 2 blocks to Chicago Avenue.  Turn left on Chicago on follow the directions above to the Hancock Building.

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CABN Calendar

Wednesday, Nov. 28th - 5:30 p.m.  "Remembering Our Dead" vigil to speak out against anti-transgendered hate violence.  State of Illinois Building (Thompson Center), corner of Randolph and Clark Streets, Chicago.  See article below for more information.

Saturday, Dec. 1st - World AIDS Day.

Wednesday, Dec. 5th - 7 p.m.  Monthly CABN membership meeting.  Ann Sather's Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont, 2nd floor.

Thursday, Dec. 6th - 9:30 a.m.  Court date for assailant of Ifti Nasim, Belmont & Western courthouse.  For more information or rides, call 773.878.4781.

Friday, Dec. 7th - 5 p.m.  Peace Response Coalition vigil, Pritzer Park, corner of State Street & Van Buren, across the street from Harold Washington Library (note that this is a correction from an earlier listing we gave, which had an incorrect location).

Friday, Dec. 7th - 6:30-6:55 p.m.  CABN live call-in show on Cable TV Channel 21.

Sunday, Dec. 16th - 2 p.m.  Next protest against the Salvation Army!  In front of the Salvation Army display at the Hancock Building, 875 N. Michigan Avenue.  See driving directions by public transportation above.

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"Formed in response to three September '98 anti-gay bashings in the "Boy's Town" neighborhood…[we] respond to all serious hate crimes, no matter which scapegoated group is targeted.  We will actively seek out and work with individuals and organizations in other communities to assist them in responding to hate crimes which target them. Only by the active involvement of grass roots people from all communities can we isolate the bigots and thus lessen hate crimes."                                                                 -- from the CABN founding statement
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CABN, 4404 N. Magnolia, #420, Chicago, IL 60640 -- 773.878.4781 -- CABNstopthehate@aol.com

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