My name is Jorge Vargas. I have been a customer of the Kinko's on Van Buren for the last five years while a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago and as a recent graduate of the university that currently holds a temporary part-time job at 322 S. Green St. (one block away from the store). My use of the store has included personal photocopying, professional resume generation that aided my successful post-graduate employment search (to start in August, 2000), and use of the computers.
 
For the past six to seven months, I have been meeting with Robert Bristow at Kinko's to discuss various aspects of Biblical Scripture, faith and GOD's good work. Our meetings usually took place 4 - 5 days a week from 5:00 - 6:00PM. During these meetings, we would occupy a small, non-computer workstation 10 - 15 feet away from the computer workstations. This was so we would not disrupt the normal operations of the store.
 
On July 20th, my sister-in-law, Diana Duarte, met with Mr. Bristow and I at the store. We spoke on various aspects concerning the Scriptures. The only others within this section of the store were the store manager and another customer. Both were seated at separate computer workstations.
 
The conversation between Mrs. Duarte, Mr. Bristow and I was no different from any other occasion. In fact, it was very similar in length and sound to a conversation that could be heard in any restaurant. No person in the store showed any signs of hearing our conversation or being disturbed by our conversation. In fact, in the time Mr. Bristow and I have held meetings at the store, we have never had anyone complain to us of being disturbed by our meetings.
 
In addition to holding our meetings there, Mr. Bristow and I use the products available to customers and pay for those services when the meetings adjourn. I have also seen Mr. Bristow voluntarily assist other customers when they have asked for assistance.
 
For much of the time that I have been a customer at Kinko's, I have been satisfied with the products and services as well as the customer service. This is why I am surprised at the action taken by the current manager at the Van Buren store. I also understand that this action is a violation of Kinko's policy and free marketplace expression. If this is the case, I sincerely hope that you will investigate this manner and take whatever appropriate steps are needed to rectify this matter.