Source: The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/1693

On April 16, 2004 The Daily Illini reported, "Frustrated with the Board of Trustees' reluctance to address the Chief Illiniwek controversy, more than 40 anti-Chief protesters took over Swanlund Administration Building Thursday. Beginning at about 7:30 a.m., the protesters — students, professors, alumni and Native Americans — held a sit-in, blocking all entrances to Swanlund and refusing to leave or let anyone in until the board immediately eliminates Chief Illiniwek, apologizes to Native Americans and increases funding to University minority programs and cultural houses. Thursday's sit-in occurred the day the Board of Trustees planned to meet in Chicago. Board Chair Larry Eppley cancelled the April 15 meeting last March, one day after Student Trustee Nate Allen announced that he would introduce a resolution to abolish the Chief at the next board meeting. While student protesters clogged the main entrance to Swanlund, dozens of other anti-Chief protesters held a rally on the building steps."