"Stop the War" Rally and March in Birmingham today

[Alamom]

Latest Information:
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Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition

www.AlabamaPeaceAndJustice.org

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For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2005



Statewide Peace March and Rally in Birmingham on Sept. 24


Now is the time. Birmingham is the place. On Saturday, Sept. 24, peace advocates from across Alabama will gather in downtown Birmingham at Kelly Ingram Park to demand an end to the war on Iraq. The message is: Stop the killing! Support our troops, bring them home now! Money for human needs, not war!



The rally includes inspiring speeches, moving stories, great bands (folk, gospel, rap, Latin), and more!

This is an opportunity for Alabamians to speak out -- together and loudly -- against the Iraq war. This war has taken 1,900 American lives and an estimated 100,000+ Iraqi's lives; plunged this country into a record deficit; and made the Hurricane Katrina disaster even worse because 30% of our national guard is overseas.

Remaining silent is no longer an option. Those who agree that this war is unjust, immoral, and must be stopped now, are invited to stand with us on Saturday!



EVENT: "Alabama Says: Stop the War on Iraq!"



WHERE: Kelly Ingram Park, 1700 6th Ave. N., Birmingham, AL



TIME: 2:00 – 3:00 PM – March through downtown Birmingham streets. Begin and end @ Kelly Ingram Park. (Pleas arrive at 1:30 to line up for the march!) The route is approximately one mile long on flat streets; wheelchair accessible. March includes giant peace puppets; drummers; women in black; a coffin representing dead American and Iraqi soldiers; and more.

3:00 – 5:00 PM – Rally with a variety of speakers, bands, and other entertainment. See list below.



WHO: Workers, students, families, veterans, soldiers, politicians, religious groups and others from across the state. Over 60 peace, veteran, religious, political and other organizations have joined us in sponsoring/endorsing this statewide event.



WHY: Send a message across Alabama and to the Administration that we want out of Iraq now! This is a critical time for us and our nation. Stand with us on Sept 24th and be counted.



MORE INFO: www.AlabamaPeaceAndJustice.org or 256-489-3884



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Rally Details -- Speaker and entertainment line up.

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3:00 PM -- rally begins

Welcome by the two event emcees: (1) Scott Douglas, Executive Director of Greater Birmingham Ministries and Chairman Alabama New South Coalition's Peace Justice, Human Rights Committee; and (2) Jasmine Reyes, host and founder of Radio Caliente, a Spanish language program on WJLD-AM 1400 in Birmingham.
Frankie Walker – gospel songs
David Gespass, National Lawyers Guild and Birmingham Peace Project – speaking about lies underlying the war.
Jim McMinn and Ginny Loggins – folk songs
David Underhill, Mobile Citizens for Peace and former radio talk show host – speaking about depleted uranium.
Mo Gardner, Vietnam Veteran (and double leg amputee) – speaking about the physical and mental effects of war on our returning troops.
Judy Collins Cumbee – folk songs
Max Micheal, Physicians for Social Responsibility – speaking about the war.
Jim McMinn and Ginny Loggins – folk songs
Susan Mims (former Navy recruiter) and Lori Stabler (GI Rights Hotline volunteer) – speaking about counter-recruitment and the lies military recruiters tell.
Hot Collar – punk rock band
Brandi Little, former Specialist U.S. Army, Iraq War Veteran, convoy driver whose truck was hit on the road to Baghdad, killing her Army convoy partner – speaking about the meaning of war.
Amy Carr, Montgomery Peace Project – speaking on peace & nonviolence.
21st Century Youth Leadership Movement – freedom songs
David Waters, President of Alabama Veterans for Peace – speaking on war tax resistance.
Jim McMinn & Ginny Loggins – folk songs
Dr. Safaa Al-Hamdani, Biology Professor at Jacksonville State University – speaking about the war from an Iraqi Muslim perspective.


4:00 PM ... rally continues …

Nag Hammadi – world music band with Middle Eastern sound
Lew Rockwell, president of the Mises Institute in Auburn, author of Speaking of Liberty, and nominated as a libertarian to talk at this event – speaking about war and morality.
George Thompson, Faith In Community Coordinator for Greater Birmingham Ministries and member of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham (Reform Judaism) – speaking about holding relationships sacred.
Mirza Beg, Tuscaloosa Peace Project ---poems "Silence" & "Destruction of Iraq's Museum"
Rev. Carl Davis, minister of St. James Independence Methodist Church in Birmingham – speaking about the war.
Skaces -- Latino Rock and Salsa Fusion band
Malika Sanders, Alabama New South Coalition representative and 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement director from Selma – speaking on minorities in the military.
21st Century Youth Leadership Movement – freedom songs
Carlito and The Deep Ends – rap band
Linda Haynes, Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition – speaking on where we go from here.
5:00 PM -- rally closes with all participants singing "We shall overcome"