Dramatization of November, 9th 1972, Occupation of Mayor Wikoff's Office

The civil rights bill was again defeated in Champaign, as expected, although now there were two abstentions, if you could call that progress. According to plan, the Gay Liberation Front went ahead with its sit-in at the mayor's office. The demonstrators, more than a dozen of us, arrived in three cabs and rode the elevator to Mayor Kane's office. I told his receptionist our intentions.

"I'm sorry," she said. "The mayor is out of town." All fifteen of us started booing.

"We demand," I said, "that the mayor issue a statement in support of the gay and lesbian civil rights bill."

"He can't very well do that since he isn't here," she replied smugly.

"No problem. We're in no hurry. We'll wait." With that, all fifteen of us flew past the receptionist and entered the mayor's office. Everybody took positions on the carpeted floor and available chairs.

Reggie sat at the mayor’s desk. "Just call me Mr. Mayor." He laughed and folded his hands behind his head.

The receptionist looked in the door absolutely outraged. "I'm getting the police." This brought more laughter.

"I do hope they're cute," said Steve Hancock, to a chorus of laughs, who had sat in one of the mayor’s visitor chairs. Righteously indignant, she walked to her desk and made the phone call.

"Mr. Mayor," I said to Reggie. "I think it's time we once again brought up the gay civil rights bill for a vote."

"Very well," said Reggie. "I guess we should bring it to a vote among all you fools present. All in favor signify by raising your hand." Fifteen hands went up. "All opposed?" No hands were raised. "The gay rights bill passes fifteen to nothing. Unanimous." There were more whistles and cheers.

“Not even Winston abstained,” I said wryly. He just smiled and showed his yellow teeth.

"It’s no surprise Fenton Puck didn’t show up,” I said, turning to Steve. “Ever since he stopped talking to me, he hasn't gotten involved in anything to do with gay liberation."

"Fenton isn't talking to me either," said Steve. "Last week I let him know I was going back to New Jersey after the Christmas rush. I thought he was going to bite my head off, screaming traitor and stomping around the store. To tell you the truth, I was a bit frightened."

But I heard only one thing. "You're leaving?" Steve was one of the few people not into hard core politics I was friends with and I didn't make new friends too easily. Steve was my link to Brian.

"I would have left last spring when I graduated,” continued Steve, “if it weren't for the music store. Fenton pays me out of his own pocket. The store continues to lose money and there is no sign that trend will end. My parents are anxious to have me move back. I'll have plenty of time to write choral…"

"OK folks, time to go." The Champaign policeman stood at the door of the mayor's office, his arms folded across his chest.

"We're waiting for the mayor," I replied, switching abruptly from the drama of Steve’s departure to the political drama we were engaged.

The cop looked frustrated. "The mayor's not going to be here today, so you need to make an appointment and come back some other time."

"Thank you for your concern,” I said, smiling, “but we're in no hurry. We're happy to wait."

The cop snarled at me and said something to his partner, standing a few feet behind. Then they walked away. We all cheered over this apparent victory.

Winston took the mayor's ashtray off the desk and brought it to the window sill. He lit up a cigarette, but there was no room to pace.

"Winston's nervous," joked Reggie.

"He's not afraid of the police," I said. "He's afraid of the National Executive Committee if he gets arrested for sitting-in." Both Reggie and I started laughing until Winston gave us a glare. "Oops, sorry Winston,” I said, “it wasn't appropriate, sorry." Winston relaxed a bit and continued puffing away.

"Winston," commented Reggie. "You aren't planning to get arrested today, anyway."

"No, but I might not have a choice."

It was a good half hour before the cops returned. They announced that, barring any unruly behavior, we could wait in the office until five o'clock closing. At that time, anybody who failed to leave would be arrested. I promised there would be no problems. The police left and Winston seemed relieved.

The remainder of the afternoon was marked by frivolity and good conversations. "All that's missing is the beer," I commented to Winston, stealing a line from John Hooper who stayed away in case all of us needed to be bailed out.

At five, the cops returned and announced that the office was closing. "Anybody who does not leave right now will be arrested."

Everyone said goodbye to Reggie and me as they left. "We should have you out by tomorrow," Winston said softly.

Back in the mayor's office, it was just the two of us. "I've never been inside a jail before," I confided. "It’s kind of exciting."

"Exciting?" questioned Reggie. "You are crazy."

"OK boys," said one of the cops. "Office is closed. Go out and join your friends and make this easier on everybody."

"We're waiting for the mayor," I replied.

"For God's sakes," muttered the cop. He walked over to Reggie and me, followed closely by his partner. Taking out the cuffs, he slapped them around my wrist. His partner did the same to Reggie. "You both are under arrest for the crime of Criminal Trespass to Public Property." We were led down the elevator, through some interior doors and into the Champaign Police Station.

I felt as though I was in the movies when I was fingerprinted and photographed, probably in the same chair that not much more than a year earlier held Tina Twat or Deidre.

"So you think this is fun?" asked one of the cops who saw me smile.

"It's OK," I replied, nonchalantly. I underplayed my excitement.