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| For Immediate Release Sunday, October
14, 2001
Youth Plan for Massive Peace March and Terrorism Protest: WHAT: Fourth Annual Peace March and victory celebration WHEN: Saturday Oct. 27, 2001 DETAILS: We will assemble at 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Bank of America on Washington Street in Gainesville, Georgia. At 12:00 noon we will begin Marching along Washington Street toward the downtown Gainesville Square. We will circle the Square and then take Spring Street to The Arts Council Depot, where the march will culminate in celebration, entertainment, music, and lots of fun. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic basket and blanket, to relax on the lawn in front of the stage while enjoying the celebration of music, singing, inspirational speakers and folk dancing. Please Note: Absolutely no alcohol will be permitted. Members of the Peace March Planning Committee are growing more and more excited about the progress of events for planning the fourth annual March for Peace, which will take place on Saturday, October 27, 2001. "Especially in the light of the recent (on ongoing) terrorist attacks on the United States, this event is very timely and very important," said Greg Bautista, one of the event organizers. "The Peace March was attended by more than 1200 people last year, and so we are making plans and preparations for approximately 1500 people this year." The Planning Committee is comprised of approximately 30 youth ages 16-23 who have all been working very hard since August to plan this important event. They are mostly all African-American and Latino youth. All of the logistics and details for this massive event are being planned by the youth, in a very professional and organized manner. Youth serving on the committee have raised almost all the money needed to cover the costs of this event ($9000 approximately) through individual donations, a car wash, a grant proposal, food sales and more. "They have really done a marvelous job in planning the program and the celebration," said Bautista. "The Planning Committee has done it all -- secured parade permits, confirmed guest speakers, obtained food donations, planning the march route, doing a poster and fliers, and promoting the event." To help spread the word about the March for Peace, members of the Planning Committee are planning a massive "door to door" community canvassing and publicity campaign for Saturday October 20, 2001. The group will travel throughout the entire city of Gainesville distributing fliers and leaflets to residents at more than 20 apartment complexes, plus a number of major businesses, shopping centers and churches. The "Action Agenda" for the Peace March is being finalized. It will include... 1) a call for unity, peace, harmony, cross-cultural dialogue and social justice 2) an end to world terrorism 3) a prayer for dialogue and understanding, in opposition to the recent onslaught of anti-immigrant hate rhetoric and white supremacist activities in Gainesville 4) a call for a study group, to study the creation of an official Gainesville City philosophy on housing and neighborhood economic development in Gainesville's low-wealth, African-American and Latino communities 5) a call for a change in the Georgia drivers license law to make our roads safer, by affording all persons an opportunity to drive on Georgia roads legally, regardless of immigration status 6) a call for the development of a community center to benefit youth and families in the South side of Gainesville For more information please contact: Web Site: FOR FOTOS FROM LAST YEAR'S EVENT PLEASE GO TO: ### END ### |