FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: January 20, 2003 Chris Kromm: 919-949-9415
Hart Matthews: 919-416-6168
** MEDIA ADVISORY **
GROWING ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT TO TARGET JOHN EDWARDS FOR SENATOR'S "RECKLESS EMBRACE" OF WAR
January 21 demonstrations planned in four cities; presidential hopeful slammed on home turf for "caving in" to Bush's unpopular Iraq war plans RALEIGH - Activists representing North Carolina's growing anti-war movement will gather at the offices of Senator and presidential hopeful John Edwards on the Fayetteville St. Mall in Raleigh at noon tomorrow, January 21. The demonstration, called by a new coalition of 52 state organizations opposed to war on Iraq, will protest Senator Edwards's "reckless embrace" of the Bush Administration's war plans.
"Senator Edwards claims to be a champion of 'regular people,'" said Adam Sotak of Chapel Hill, an organizer for the event. "But what 'regular people' need are jobs, good schools and health care -- not a $200 billion war that most of the world doesn't want, and which will risk thousands of American and Iraqi lives."
"By caving in to Bush and the powerful interests that want this war, Senator Edwards has shown this isn't a matter of Democrats and Republicans, it's a matter of life and death," Sotak said. "Tomorrow, thousands of North Carolinians will send a clear message: Senator Edwards, we won't forget your reckless embrace of this unjust, dangerous, and unnecessary war."
Activists in Asheville, Charlotte and Greensboro will also stage rallies targeting Senator Edwards on Tuesday, Jan. 21. In a separate but related event, the organization MoveOn.org will be sending a delegation to meet with Senator Edwards' staff in Raleigh at 12:30 p.m.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 21, 12:00 noon
WHAT: State-wide Day of Action targeting Senator John Edwards for his pro-war stand. Raleigh event will include speakers and street theater.
WHERE: Office of Senator John Edwards, Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh. Coordinated demonstrations also taking place in Asheville, Charlotte and Greensboro.
CONTACTS FOR LOCAL DEMONSTRATIONS: Raleigh: Adam Sotak, 919-942-1503 Asheville: Scot Quaranda, 828-251-2525 Charlotte: David Dixon, 704-449-6925 Greensboro: Kristen Robinson, 336-254-1122
The January 21 Day of Action comes as momentum grows in North Carolina's anti-war movement. Last Thursday, a new coalition of 52 state organizations announced their opposition to war on Iraq. On Saturday, January 18, thousands of North Carolinians from 13 cities road 35 buses to a national anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C., which drew over 100,000 people. A local rally in Durham the same day drew 1,000 protesters.
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