Bloomington United is Back: Hate Has No Place in Our Town

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at 10 am, a coalition of concerned citizens, leaders from the community and IU officials, will gather in the Council Chambers of City Hall to announce the re-formation of Bloomington United. The organization was originally established in 1998 in response to the distribution of hate literature throughout the community, and, eventually, the murder of Korean graduate student Won Joon Yoon by former IU student Benjamin Smith. Smith was influenced by the World Church of the Creator, an organized hate group.

Over the years, Bloomington United has been active in responding to incidents of hate in the community and in offering educational forums related to issues of diversity. Under President Bill Clinton’s administration, the organization was recognized by the White House for its work in addressing hate in our community whether in response to racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, attacks on Muslims or other minority groups.
In recent years, members of Bloomington United took on responsibilities within their individual faith/cultural/justice communities in response to the rise of white supremacist groups in this country. As a result of the tragedy in Charlottesville, VA, this past summer, community members expressed a desire to bring the group together again.

During the press conference, comments will be made by Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton; IU Vice Provost for Diversity & Inclusion, John Nieto-Phillips; and, Bloomington United co-chairs, Rabbi Sue Silberberg, IU Hillel and Doug Bauder, Director of IU’s LGBTQ+ Center. New Bloomington United signs (Hate Has No Home in Our Town) and stickers will be available. Action plans, should Bloomington be visited by a hate group in the new year, will be discussed. The public is invited to attend the press conference.

For more information, see Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonunited/ or Twitter: https://twitter.com/BUnited1998

For more information, contact Doug Bauder at [email protected] or Rabbi Sue Silberberg at [email protected].

To donate: https//hillelatiu.wufoo.com/forms/Bloomington-united/

Science Sprouts is a weekly science enrichment program designed especially for toddlers and their families. Toddlers are natural scientists, and Science Sprouts is a time for them to explore, experiment, and build skills ranging from physical development to social emotional development. Science Sprouts activities are designed and facilitated by early childhood specialists and involve hands-on exploration, live music, body movement, and a commitment to accurate science!

Wednesday night dance class in Bloomington, IN
~ Kizomba is a social partner dance from Angola. It has, in recent years, swept across the US and has made it all the way to our small town! You do not need to know how to dance to join. All you need is a willing and courageous spirit!

WHAT: Lessons + Social Dancing + after party
8:45pm – 9:30pm: Level 1: Beginner Lesson
9:30pm – 10:30pm: social dancing!
WHERE: Windfall Dancers
1101 N Dunn St., Bloomington
PRICE: just $5

Southern Indiana Kizomba dancing community is ‘So•In•Kiz’. We promote Kizomba and other dances in and around the region, including Kizomba, Urban Kiz, Semba, Zouk, Salsa, & Bachata.
fb.me/SoInKiz/