For Immediate Release                                          Contact:
May 31, 2004                                                      Dennis Apuan (719) 632-6189
12:00 PM                                                              Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission
                                                                         Mark Lewis  (719) 471-9400 CSAction.org
 

Colorado rallies to protect America and the world from Bush

Colorado Springs-May 31st

Colorado activists will gather to show support for our troops by protesting Bush's policies when he gives the commencement address at the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, June 2. The protest is sponsored by the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission, in coordination with a state wide coalition of groups working for peace and justice.

"We will gather to mourn the dead, heal the wounded, and end the occupation of Iraq", says Dennis Apuan, Pikes peak Justice and Peace organizer."

"The government's policy in Iraq has been a humanitarian, economic, and political disaster."

"Our protest is meant to encompass a broad range of concerns about the Bush administration, not just the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"The administration's policies on healthcare, the environment, church/state, education, the economy, and civil liberties are a disaster as well", Dennis said.

The demonstration will gather at the south gate of the Air Force Academy from 8:30 until 11:00 AM.  The authorized demonstration area will be on the right side as you drive along South Gate Boulevard, on the west side of the overpass.

Organizer Mark Lewis, of the Springs Action Alliance, says, "We reject the slander that our disagreement with this administration's policies is a lack of patriotism and support for our troops."

"Nationalists wrap themselves in the flag; patriots wrap themselves in the Constitution."

"Our constitution has been ignored by this White House and Pentagon in their exploitation of the personal motivations of our sons and daughters in uniform." "Lincoln was correct that 'right makes might'." "These 'neocons' will never understand that."

There is also a peace march that will depart at 8:00 AM from the NW corner of the intersection of Kelly Johnson Boulevard and Academy Boulevard. We will march to the South Gate of the Air Force Academy from there.

The march and rally will be peaceful and lawful. The organizers encourage all in attendance to observe all laws, and to be peaceful in words and actions.

Dorothy Schleager, president of the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission says, "We believe in the goodwill and creative genius of the American and Iraqi people, and recognize the terrible loss of both American and Iraqi lives."

"We must make our voices heard on behalf of nonviolent solutions to international problems." 

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