Source: The News-Gazette
[news-gazette.com/story.cfm?Number=14087]
On July 2, 2003 The News-Gazette reported that "citing an atmosphere of intolerance, and fear for their safety, Wiccan leaders said they are abandoning their dream of opening a school that teaches the alternative religion in Hoopeston... The meeting drew about 100 residents, most of whom vehemently opposed the project... 'We're not giving up (on East Central Illinois) yet,' continued Hubbard, chief executive officer of Chicago-based Telepathic Media, which had planned to open the school in the former Grant Township building. 'But we are giving up on Hoopeston... I made a promise on my first day out (that) if the town really didn't want us, we wouldn't move there. We didn't feel safe. The chief of police escorted us to our car and said very politely that he thought it was best that we leave town...' Residents who opposed the project rejoiced over Hubbard's announcement that Wiccan leaders would pull out."