Jan. 19 "100,000 for 2004": Expats say NO to preventive war and PATRIOT

[Isabel Cole]

US VOTERS MOBILIZE AGAINST THE PATRIOT ACT AND PREVENTIVE WAR

International launch of the 100,000 for 2004 voter pledge campaign: Jan. 19/20, 2003


Electoral debates in the United States often focus on technical issues such as how much money a candidate has raised or “soft politics” such as crime and tax breaks. US presidential candidates avoid controversial topics, often the issues of most interest to voters. American Voices Abroad (AVA), a coalition of US citizens living overseas, wants that to change.

To that end, AVA is initiating a voter pledge campaign entitled “100,000 for 2004,” in which voters pledge to vote only for candidates who 1. oppose unconstitutional legislation, particularly the USA PATRIOT Act, and 2. reject the doctrine of preventive war, contained within the National Security Strategy of Sept. 2002. The Coalition will officially launch the campaign on Jan. 19 and 20 in cities across Europe, corresponding with Martin Luther King Day, Inauguration Day, and the opening of the US political season in Iowa.

AVA aims to form a 100,000-strong independent voting bloc made up of Americans living abroad. Participants sign a pledge form promising to vote both in party primaries and in the general election for a candidate who meets the campaign’s criteria. Organizers will present the pledges to all candidates and campaign managers in order to encourage them to address these issues and adopt the “100,000 for 2004” campaign minimum standard platform. (See www.americanvoicesabroad.net/cgi-bin/2004).

AVA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization with the goal of developing an active network of US citizens living abroad who oppose current US domestic and foreign policies. There are between 6 and 8 million US citizens living abroad, more than the population of any of the 22 least populous states. For more information see www.americanvoicesabroad.net.

International press contact:
Colin King, [phone], cell: [phone],
[email protected]


100,000 for 2004 launch events in Europe:

The Czech Republic, Prague: AVA’s “Democracy Extravaganza” and campaign launch at the Globe Bookstore from 4 pm until midnight on Jan. 19, will include voter registration, film screenings, a public discussion with director Joan Sekler, poetry readings and live concerts.
Contact: Gwendolyn Albert [phone] [email protected]

France, Paris: One year from the inauguration of the next US president, Americans Against War France will initiate the 100,000 for 2004 campaign with readings and public discussion at the Village Voice Bookstore at 7 - 9 pm on Jan. 20.
Contact: Laurie Chamberlain, [phone], [email protected]

France, Montpellier: A screening of a documentary produced by Eli Landau to commemorate Martin Luther King will launch the 100,000 for 2004 campaign in this city, along with discussions open to the French public, from 7 – 10 pm on Jan. 20.
Contacts: Sara Mitter, [email protected] and Lawrence McGuire [email protected]

Germany, Berlin: AVA Berlin will hold a morning press conference at the Haus der Demokratie, followed by a voter registration party and a screening of the documentary «Unprecedented: the 2000 presidential elections», from 8 – 10 p.m. on Jan. 19
Contact: Isabel Cole, [phone], [email protected]

Germany, Tubingen: AVA will open a town hall meeting at the German-American Institute on Jan. 19.
Contact: Penelope Pinson, [email protected]

The Netherlands, Amsterdam: AVA will provide voter registration at the annual Martin Luther King Day dinner with on Jan 19th.
Contact: Linda Deak, [phone], [email protected]

[lovedems]

1. That is great! They probably know more about what's going on

in our country then we do. So much for the free American press! I hope they are successful in their mission.