Community Response to Chief Decision

Supporters of Chief Illiniwek throughout the community say it's sad to watch their tradition fade away. People are showing support by wearing the chief symbol, along with their orange and blue. They say the chief is an honored tradition at the University of Illinois and they can't believe that tradition is ending. Some say they don't see what's so offensive. "I've got a bit of Native American blood on both my mothers and fathers side, to me, personally, i don't see how its offensive," said Mike Poor of Urbana, "but everyone's got their opinions on it and apparently those people spoke out a lot louder than the people that were for it." But for some, the absence of the chief is what they've been waiting for. They say it's a racist symbol, and it's about time it's gone. Chief supporters hope their signatures can show the university how they feel. More than six-thousand people have signed this petition telling the university it ignored the majority.