Bruhs Allege Racism and Call for a Boycott

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Fraternity protests Normal decision

Omega Psi Phi calls for business boycotts

By Karen Blatter
Pantagraph staff

NORMAL -- A graduate chapter of a black fraternity is calling for a boycott of businesses that support alleged acts of racism conducted by the town of Normal.
Omega Psi Phi fraternity's Chi Beta Beta chapter made the appeal Saturday while protesting outside Fairview Family Aquatic Center. The group carried signs saying "Racism is Normal," "We demand equal access," "Not in their town" and "We pay taxes too."

The town denied the fraternity the opportunity to rent the facility for a fund-raising event called "Splash Party."

"We will boycott anyone who does not support our efforts here today," fraternity member Timothy Howell said.

"If they don't stand up against the town of Normal, then we feel like they are in opposition to us. We want to make sure that every business is on notice that this is what we are planning on doing."

The fraternity alleges the denial was due to racial discrimination.

Town officials say they did not rent the facility to the group because of a history of problems at the group's events.

The group had met with city officials several times and had agreed to restrictions placed on the party including the number of people admitted, security and parking lot patrols.

The town, however, was not convinced that the event would go on problem-free.

About 40 people came out Saturday as patrons lined up for the pool's opening. Protesters followed guidelines presented by the Normal Police Department, and there were no incidents.

Protesters included the fraternity members' families, members of the local chapter of the NAACP and other graduate fraternities and sororities.

The graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity is made up of men ages 24 to 51 who have undergraduate degrees. "Splash Party" raises funds for scholarships and other charitable activities. The fraternity promotes literacy and has worked with local schools and the Boys' and Girls' Club. Members are from all over the county.

It has been two years since the group held the party. Howell said events that had problems in 1998 and 1999 at Fairview Park were not sanctioned by the fraternity.

City officials said the 1998 and 1999 parties involved alcohol, public urination and nudity. Police estimated more than 1,000 people over the private-rental limit arrived each year, and some climbed the fence to get in.

Similar problems occurred in 2000, when the fraternity rented O'Neil Pool in Bloomington. Police called to the park found a huge gathering of people having an illegal drinking party outside the pool. As a result, Howell said, Bloomington also will not rent to the fraternity.

Members continued to say the problems are not their guests, but people who come to the location of the function just to hang out.

"Their complaints have never been what's gone on in the pool, it's what is on the other side of the fence," said fraternity vice president Charles Griffis of Bloomington. "There were people outside. Concerns were always the problems with the overflow crowd. When the heat was on them, the problem became something else."

The fraternity has other events of protest planned for Aug. 26 and 28 and on Sept. 6, when dogs are allowed to swim in Fairview Pool. The group also is looking into legal action.