[Imc-chicago] Participation in Chicago IMC

[David W. Kennedy]

Charley Earp wrote:
> I'm interested in the work of Indymedia and live in Chicago. How does one
> get involved?

Hey Charley,

Welcome to the Indymedia mailing list.  I've carbon copied your address 
with this reply because I'm not sure whether you're subscribed to the 
mailing list or not.

When I first discovered Chicago Indymedia, I was overwhelmed by the 
information and by how it was presented.  I had to come back to the site 
many times over the course of several weeks in order to understand what 
I was reading.  So I'm going to explain a few things because I would 
have wanted them explained when I was new to the concept.

At first, I thought Indymedia was a giant group of people engaging in 
nonviolent resistance.  However, Indymedia does NOT represent a unity 
among the organizations and does NOT direct the actions of the 
individual organizations.  Indymedia is instead like a news station that 
simply reports on the actions of many independent activist organizations.

So, when you ask how to get involved with Indymedia, do you mean the 
work of the organizations about which Indymedia reports (for example 
Iraq Veterans Against the War or the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign), or 
are you talking about Indymedia proper?  In other words, do you want to 
participate in protests, write to Congresspeople and engage in direct 
action?  Or do you want to write press releases, record audio and video 
broadcasts and report on the progressive and independent actions of 
various organizations?

If you're talking about the organizations, you can choose one or two (or 
more) organizations and attend their meetings, help them with 
demonstrations and direct action, and donate to their budgets.  Please 
visit their websites to learn more about how to support each 
organization.  Indymedia is not the authoritative source of information 
about the organizations.  However, weekly protests are sometimes 
announced through Indymedia and Indymedia surely reports on the actions 
of the organizations after the fact.  But reading about it on Indymedia 
is too late if you want to participate.  Instead, plan and prepare for 
the day of action that is scheduled by each organization and indicated 
on its respective website.

If you're talking about Indymedia proper, Indymedia is democratically 
run, and aspiring journalists (that is, regular people) can participate 
even on an independent basis.  Read the advice about how to write a 
press release and then report on a few events and issues that you're 
following.

General Information about Indymedia (including their meetings)
http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/index.php
(Google cache of the page)
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:e1RwUx4m7yoJ:chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/about/index.php+http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/index.php&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1

How to Write a News Story
http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/writing_collective/index.php
(Google cache of the page)
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:HwDBmsEBAGgJ:chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/writing_collective/index.php+http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/writing_collective/index.php&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1

Radio Reporters' Training
http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio_reporters_trainin/index.php
(Google cache of the page)
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:b2RyiovN4EcJ:chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio_reporters_trainin/index.php+http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio_reporters_trainin/index.php&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1

Then read, watch, listen to the independent media for at least a few 
weeks.  Read all the stories listed under the "Local Interest" category 
of the Newswire column at the far right of the Chicago Indymedia home 
page.  Listen to From the Trenches, watch Chicago Independent 
Television.  Listen to other independent radio shows including This Is 
Hell, Labor Express and The Ministry of Truth.

 From the Trenches
http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio/index.php
(Google cache of the page)
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:shWFmXI-5JkJ:chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio/index.php+http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio/index.php&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1

Chicago Independent Television
http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/video/index.php
(Google cache of the page)
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:po4dv7BTHrIJ:chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/video/index.php+http://chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/video/index.php&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1

This Is Hell
WNUR - 89.3 FM
Currently scheduled at 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays.  Watch their website 
for schedule changes.  Also listen online if you're not within range of 
the station.
http://www.thisishell.net

Labor Express
WLUW - 88.7 FM
Currently scheduled at 10 AM to 11 AM on Mondays.
http://www.wluw.org/station/schedule/21/0/

The Ministry of Truth
WHPK - 88.5 FM
Currently scheduled at 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays.
http://www.whpk.org/shows/public_affairs/#show37

Then you can write your own stories and post them directly on the 
newswire.  Create an account (register) on Chicago Indymedia, login and 
click "Post an Article" at the top of the home page or click this link.

Post an Article
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/index.php?function=publish

Again, it's great to have more people who want to support the 
progressive and independent causes.  Out of curiosity, which causes are 
you interested in supporting?  For example, I am already planning to 
participate in the March 18 through 20 Iraq war anniversary protest 
march(es).

Welcome aboard.
-- 
David W. Kennedy