PEORIA -- Here's a link to a provocative 6-minute film shot two days ago by a young Peorian, Jallen Ransum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meNRfPjYpmQ
He stated: "This is part 1 of my documentary, "No Blacks Allowed."
The film includes Peoria police using pepper spray and a dog, and arresting someone over protests from the crowd.
Ransum states: "This documentary will expose the racism and unfair treatment of African Americans as we attempt to patronize nightclubs and bars in downtown Peoria, IL namely Club Reign and Hoops. Myself as well as three other alumni of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale will document these events until a change has been made. We appreciate your time and hope that you will be able to help us make a Peoria a better place for all."
Ransum then added: "the footage that you see was shot at approximately 2:45 a.m. June 3, 2007 in the front of Club Reign and Big Al’s speakeasy.
"The events arose after we were denied entry because we didn’t fit their ambiguous dress code.
"We were all wearing polo shirts and khaki shorts. But the bouncer said our seams weren’t right. After that I went to get the camera and started filming our protest.
"I am a 25-year-old music producer born and raised in Peoria. I graduated from SIUC in May of '06 with a degree in marketing. I spent the majority of my tenure promoting parties and ended up running a club by my senior year.
"I recently returned to Peoria to promote some of my music projects, but realized that there was something interesting going on. I like to call it subliminal racism.
"These clubs downtown disgust me. They even go as far as saying you can't wear urban brands and ultimately list brands created by and for African Americans. This is crazy when all of the brands make casual clothes and some even make thousand dollar suits.
"I will continue to document these events until something changes are made or until the powers that be stop me.
"Don't get me wrong I’m not one of the crazy activist types, but someone has to put some light on this discrimination.
"The video had almost 500 views in one day and has sparked conversation on the social networking sites such as facebook and myspace."
Ransum said he'll be back at the clubs soon, with his camera.
--Elaine Hopkins
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