The Iraq Names Project Southeast

2007-12-08T12:50:00.001-08:00

Here we are, back at it!
Today, I picked up some chalk, and printed out a list and we're on our way downtown.

If you want to join us... any help is awesome! We'll get there somewhere around four, today, and probably leave around six!

We'll also be picking up where we leave off today, tomorrow.

If you want to join us at Centennial Park, December 9 @ 4:00!

[How great is it that it's not raining a whole lot, anymore? Our chalk will stick around for a while, and people will be able to see the trail as we go!]
Hope to see you there.

2007-12-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

2007-09-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

It looks like I'm into the swing of things, here, with school, and we'll be back at the chalk this weekend!

Yesterday afternoon I was recognized for a Do the Right Thing Award, which was pretty nice.

I hope I can see you guys tonight,
at 6:00
in Centennial Park.

We're going to be starting along Edwards Dr. again, and then keep going tomorrow, Saturday,

10:00 am

Same place..

See you there!

2007-08-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today I went to my school to get some things worked out with my schedule, and when I went to my counselor's office, I had some mail from Florida State Senator Bert Saunders.

This is the letter he wrote..

I will keep you posted of infor for chalking tomorrow.

But, as for the week, as far as I can tell, we won't be chalking. School is just starting back up and I want to make sure I've got everything taken care of for the first week.

Thanks for the continuing support!

ChalkMan

2007-08-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

We're not going to be out there on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday you should see us down there. We don't know what time, yet, but we'll put it up here!

Thanks for all of the help this week..

2007-08-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Christie, Mom, Annie, Keith, Harriet, and Mike!

Tonight: @ Centennial Park from 6:00pm-7:00

See you there.

2007-08-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit Eugenia Nicolini

Today we started again.

Thanks to all of you who have helped, written letters, or are going to help!
And thanks to Mike Flanders for helping me out, and helping get the project back on it's feet!

I'll stop posting with who's saying what about the project for now.. We succeeded, and I'll give it a rest with showing all of the publicity.

It's all as positive as it can be from now on!

Here are some pictures from today!
enjoy!

2007-08-07T06:08:00.001-07:00

On the front page of the News-Press again!

It's not as huge as the last time, but I made it on the front again!

This time they're talking about how we WON with city council and got the job done.

Don't forget..

TONIGHT
@ 6:00
@ Centennial Park!

I'll see everyone there!

Air America Radio Miami

2007-08-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Listen to AM 940 this morning, at 8:00, they're going to have me on!

Access Granted!

2007-08-06T12:44:00.001-07:00

The wait is over.

Our meeting with Councilman Mike Flanders, and City Engineer Saeed Kazemi went so well!

We have an arial map of downtown, with Xs on the patches of sidewalk we can't use.

Let me explain..
Due to construction in the city, and contracting stuff going on, the City of Ft. Myers doesn't technically own all of the sidewalks in the city. Yet.

So, they gave me a map of the parts that they do own, and told me to go ahead. They are in full support of the project and appreciate what I am doing.

We will be in contact so that I can find out when the city will finally own some of the roads and sidewalks, which they will grant permission for us to continue.

As for now, we will start again in Centennial Park, and continue with where we left off. We will use as much of Centennial Park's sidewalks as we can, and then most likely continue on down Edwards Drive.

The City, Mike Flanders, and Saeed Kazemi are going to write me an 'official' letter that I will carry, that permits me to continue with the project on the sidewalks owned by the city.. They are also calling the Police Department to tell them that I have been given permission to continue on city owned property.

The fact of the matter is, I was mostly on 'privately owned' property. The city stopped me, because, although they like the project, they can't let me continue.

So, it is no longer a matter of the city not liking the project, or not allowing it to continue or thinking it graffiti, it is an issue of continuing to 'paint' on the city's/publicly owned 'canvas.'

Thank you all for your support, and I hope to see all of you out there tomorrow night, at 6:00 in Centennial Park.

Aug. 7, Centennial Park,
@ 6:00

If you could all come out, that would be great.
Show your support, and help chalk some names in!

See you there!

Willie Filkowski
Chalkman

2007-08-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some words from my friend, Nancy, who has been helping this project out a lot.
I asked her to write something for me to post, since I figure people might get annoyed, or bored with listening to me blab all of the time..

As soon as I heard about the Iraq Names Project, I knew that I should help.
I was so glad that Willie adopted the idea that the people in Portland had.
Willie's writing of the names was beautiful, and it was enjoyable to color them
in, even it was usually hot and even if sometimes we did it in the rain under-
neath the awnings.

The first really great thing that happened while I was there took place at the
Morgan House. Someone came out and asked what we were doing. I was
afraid that she would go back in and get her boss, but instead she praised
us to her customers, and when they came out of the restaurants they would
thank us.

Another day a woman asked what we were doing, I told her that we were
memorializing the American soldiers who had died in Iraq. She nodded and
walked on, but her husband stopped, bent down and hugged me. Later I found
out that he had explained to Willie that he had left six platoon members behind
in Vietnam. He said, "Nobody ever did anything like this for us; you don't know
what it means to me.

One man put a twenty-doller bill in each of our chalk boxes. Bonita was there
too, so that was $60 he took out of his wallet to encourage us. I gave Willie mine,
and he ended up giving it to a homeless person.

The next night, we were almost arrested. We have a meeting with Councilman
Flanders today to see whether we will actually need to go tot the Council meeting
tonight to request the petition. We need to know the details of the agreement we
will have with the city. Nancy Hendrix, Ph.D.

Thanks, Nancy.

We'll be sure to keep everyone posted and let you all know how the meeting with Councilman Flanders goes, and if we need to attend the City Council meeting.

MacGregor's Boulevard

2007-08-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Did anyone catch today's Editorial Cartoon in the News-Press?

Shot at 2007-08-05

2007-08-04T08:39:00.001-07:00

The Instant Editorial in the News-Press has done a re-cap of the message board online, here.

Maybe you can leave a comment, or check out what's up!

Miami Herald

2007-08-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Miami Herald also picked up the story here.

It's the same story as most of them, but, it's very cool that people from all over are taking an interest and showing the story to everyone.

I apologize that the blog has been looking boring, recently, and that we don't have any pictures. It's mostly been text, and no fun with pictures.. since we have nothing to take pictures of.

However, I realized, that some of the chalking that we did last week during the rain, under the awnings, is still there! So, week

2007-08-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Some coverage in the Charlotte Sun, newspaper.
Maybe take a look here?

Victory, part 2.

2007-08-03T20:16:00.001-07:00

It looks like there are just a few forms we have to fill out in order to get our permit, as soon as tuesday, says my friend over at ABC-7.

If you didn't catch the story, read it here.

Maybe they'll post a video sometime tonight of the story that ran, which was really great.

Stephanie Tsoflias:

We confronted Al Abdo, acting city manager, on Friday night about the project. He said Filkowski now has the green light to start chalking again.

"We certainly support what he's doing and encourage him to continue," said Abdo. "We admire and commend him. He's a model for all young people."

Filkowski heard the news for the first time on Friday night.

"That's good news, really good news," said Filkowski.

But Filkowski says he still plans to meet with the Fort Myers City Council on Monday.

City leaders say all the teen needs to do is fill out some paperwork and he can start chalking again. That could be as early as Tuesday.

This is great..
I'll look for the phone numbers I need, and get on it tomorrow morning, if the appropriate offices are open!
Thanks, everyone,
I'll let you know as soon as I have any more information!

Willie

2007-08-03T18:32:00.001-07:00

On the WINK TV website, they have a video of the news story they did on me, and the story that have that was written by the AP.

Yes, the AP, the national news wire.

Check it out here.

Victory.

2007-08-03T18:21:00.001-07:00

I just got home from our interview with ABC-7, who is going to run the story tonight at 11:00.

Once the light was on, I was miked, and the camera was rolling, they told me we have a victory on our hands.

The interim City Manager said to Stephanie that he's been trying to get a hold of me all week, and that he has the power to grant a permit, and that he will do so!

This is so great!

I think it's a victory, and I can't wait to have it physically in my hands.. then I know it's real, and that our 'hiatus' is over.

Is the permit even a physical document?

Alright, watch the news.. and we'll see what's up.

Every reporter I talk to knows more than I do.. jeeze!
Thanks for all of the coverage, though.

News-Press Instant Editorial and Forum

2007-08-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

Something you might want to check out..

The News-Press sometime during the day today, did an 'Instant Editorial' that they posted online, and left open for discussion in the forums.

You read the editorial, and see the forum (or even leave a comment of your own) here.

And you can check out another forum someone started about the project here.

It's pretty simple to register in order to put your two cents in.

Thanks, everyone,
Willie.

2007-08-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

2007-08-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone missed it last night when NBC 2 covered our story at 11.

I wonder though who their source was, or who they contacted for their information, because, there are quite a few inaccuracies that I didn't catch while I was watching, but since the transcript is online, there's more that I notice.

1. It's not a war protest, and I don't call it a war protest, and they have nothing to quote me from.
2. The website's the Iraq Names Project Southeast.
3. The names I'm writing are the last names of soldiers killed in Iraq, in chronological order. Yes, they are vets, but, I haven't written the names of all vets.

'SOLDIER CHALK GRAFFITI-COPY'

NEW AT 11----

A 15 YEAR OLD CALLS IT A WAR PROTEST.

FORT MYERS POLICE SAY IT'S ILLEGAL.

WILLIE FILKOWSKI RUNS A WEBSITE CALLED "THE IRAQ NAME PROJECT".

HE'S BEEN WRITING THE NAMES OF EVERY IRAQ WAR VET ON DOWNTOWN SIDES WALKS IN CHALK.

NOT ANYMORE.

POLICE GAVE HIM A WARNING AND SAY HE NEEDS A SPECIAL PERMIT FROM THE CITY.

FILKOWSKI SAYS POLICE TOLD HIM IF HE CONTINUES HE'LL GET ARRESTED.

THE TEEN PLANS TO BRING THIS UP TO CITY COUNCIL.

Inaccuracies aside, I appreciate the coverage.
Maybe people were interested enough to come and check out for themselves, and see what was really up.

2007-08-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today I had my picture taken at some of the chalk that is still left downtown by a News-Press photographer.

They wrote this story.

The Reporter called the interim City Manager and told her about the story.
He says that he won't allow them to award us a permit even if I ask.

It seems like the issue isn't so much about graffiti, it's more bout what's deemed an appropriate memorial.

"Al Abdo, acting city manager, said even if Filkowski applies for a permit, he won't be granted one. He said because Filkowski’s memorial consists only of chalked names, and is not immediately recognized as a memorial, it won’t be allowed to continue."

I wonder what this could mean..

I think that's not all of what the paper is going to say tomorrow, because, the reporter told me a few sentences of her story, so, maybe it may be a little more in depth in the paper tomorrow.

Some News.

2007-07-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have some news, kind of bad, kind of good.

Bad, or good first?

The bad is this:
The next City Council meeting is August 6 at 4:30, and the agenda for that meeting is already set.
Mike Flanders' assistant says that there is really no way to get 'green sheeted' in order to be on that agenda.
Who's creative enough to tell me, that there is a way?

The good news is:
I have a meeting with Councilman Flanders on Monday at 3:00, the day of the meeting.
Whether or not that will help us get on that night's agenda, I have no idea, but at least it's progress.
Maybe we can have some sort of emergency green sheet, or something.

I wish there was a way to get on that agenda, get our permission, and keep on chalking.
It's too bad that someone finds issue with our project.
I just hope that there are people who don't, and who are willing to help out, and get this done with us.
Thanks, guys.

Willie.

One of the few unfinished names from last night.

2007-07-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

I just called City Hall to talk to someone about how to get in to the City Council meetings, and how to get to speak.
I got transferred to the Office of the Clerk where an extremely nice woman is calling over to the Community Development Board to talk to someone about filing a "Green Sheet" which gives me a spot on the agenda. She told me, that I would have to get a department 'head' to file one for me.
Maybe that's what she's doing?

I'm waiting for her to return my call and let me know how things went.

I will keep you posted and let you know how things go.

Look below to see the letter I wrote to Councilman Michael Flanders.

As for the City Council meeting, the information i have so far is that the next meeting August 6, at 4:30. That's next monday.

Thanks for the support,
Willie

2007-07-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Letter to Michael Flanders, Ft. Myers City Councilman, Regarding the Chalk Project

To: councilmanflanders@cityfm.com
Subject: The Iraq Names Project Southeast

Good morning, Mr. Flanders.

My name is Willie Filkowski, and I just called your office a few minutes ago.
I though I'd put a request in, in writing as well as one on the phone.

I'm contacting you to find out some information about the process of
getting permission for community art projects from the city council.

I have started a project called The Iraq Names Project Southeast,
which came to a screeching halt yesterday.

The project is designed to honor the fallen troops of our war in Iraq.
In chalk, on the sidewalks I've been writing the last names of the
fallen, in chronological order of their date of death, beginning with
the first day of the war. I started a few weeks ago under the flagpole
in Centennial Park, and have worked my way to the Federal Building,
downtown.

Yesterday, someone called the police on us, ten minutes into the day's
work on the project, and we were very respectfully asked to leave by
the police.

Given the meaning of the project, before I started, the thought of
having to get permission was not one that crossed my mind. I was
expressing myself in a way, but more importantly, bringing attention,
honor, and a memorial to over 3,800 Coalition casualties. I feel as
though they are done no justice on the news when you hear a quick
sound bit of what the casualty count is up to. I want people to walk
by the project and realize that behind that collective number, "over
3,800" there are names, real people. There are people with families,
kids, a husband, a wife, mom, dad, and a community that felt the loss
with their passing.

I wonder if you could help me figure out the correct way to gain
permission from City Council to continue with my project, and keep
honoring those who risked their lives at the request of their
government, and paid the ultimate price.

I've been given suggestions to go a council meeting, and request
permission to continue. As I'm 15, and am not so well versed in local
civics, I wonder if you, my city council representative could point me
in the right direction.

Thank you for your help,

Willie Filkowski
7.31.07