Support Grows for January 20 Counter-Inaugural Protest

A.N.S.W.E.R. leaders on C-Span 1 at 1 pm ET today
to report on Jan. 20 CounterInaugural protests

Leaders from the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition and others involved in the January 20 Counter-Inaugural Protest in Washington DC will be holding a press conference at 1 pm ET today (December 17). The press conference will be broadcast live on C-Span 1. Please check the C-Span website for when the press conference will be rebroadcast today and during this weekend. It is called "Inaugural Parade Protests - Act Now to Stop War & End Racism (A.N.S.W.E.R.)".

Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition; Mara Verheyden-Hilliard of the Partnership for Civil Justice and the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Steering Committee; Peta Lindsay and Caneisha Mills, Coordinators, National Youth & Student A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition; Sarah Sloan, National Staff Director of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition; Rev. Graylan Hagler, Senior Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church; and Hussein Agrama of the Free Palestine Alliance are among the speakers at today’s press conference.

Coming less than five months after the free speech showdown between demonstrators and the Bush White House at the Republican National Convention, the January 20 mass antiwar protest along the Inaugural route is shaping up as the next battle pitting the Bush Administration’s desire for a stage-managed political extravaganza against antiwar demonstrators’ right to exercise their First Amendment rights.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, which applied for permits in January 2004 to stage antiwar demonstrations on the Inaugural Parade Route, will report on the outcome of its meeting with law enforcement officials regarding permit discussions. A.N.S.W.E.R. will outline its plans for a political and possible legal struggle to gain equal access to Pennsylvania Avenue for demonstrations and for that part of the public which wants to assemble and give voice to opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and in opposition to the administration’s assault on social and civil rights at home.

Show your support for this free speech fight and to help build the January 20 CounterInaugural demonstration along Pennsylvania Avenue. We cannot carry out this huge effort without the generous donations from those in the United States who believe in justice. You can make an urgently needed contribution for the January 20 mobilization through a secure server by clicking here, where you can also find information on how to contribute by check.

Pledge now to support the January 20 demonstration. To endorse, click here.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition will send out an email update in the next few days regarding logistics, bus drop off and other transportation information. If you are organizing transportation from your city, fill out the Transportation Form to list your information on the A.N.S.W.E.R. website and help spread the word.

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
info@internationalanswer.org
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 202-544-3389