AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2000

http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org

         ATHEISTS TO PROTEST AT DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS
           "Defending The Wall" To Raise First Amendment Issues

    American Atheists, a nationwide civil rights and state-church separation
group, announced today that it would stage demonstrations at the Republican
and Democratic National Conventions.
    "Both parties are courting the 'religious vote,' and they are advancing
political programs that threaten the First Amendment separation of
government and religion," said Ellen Johnson, president of the group.  "The
candidates are busy pressing the flesh in churches, mosques, temples and
other houses of worship, but they aren't saying what they intend to do in
order to attract the support of millions of Americans who have no religious
beliefs."
    Ms. Johnson said that the demonstrations, which will begin on July 30 at
the GOP gathering in Philadelphia, will oppose calls for public funding of
sectarian groups.  She cited vouchers, calls for "faith-based" social
programs, and "partnerships" between government and religious groups.
    "These are all just buzz words for public funding of religion," Johnson
declared.  "While they disagree on some of the details, both parties are
trading tax money for the support of religious groups and votes."
    Ms. Johnson added that her group will also be speaking out against
efforts to introduce organized worship services and displays of religious
symbols in public schools and government buildings.
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists, charged that
the two major political parties were "seeking to enlist a god or gods in
their campaigns."
    "Most candidates today refer to the separation of church and state as
something to apologize for, an inconvenience, or something to be
circumvented or ignored," Barrier declared. "For lack of any real creative
problem-solving, they abandon all reason and invoke the assistance of
something non-human and invisible.  This attitude won't solve anything, but
it will keep them in office."

* EAST COAST, PHILADELPHIA -  The American Atheists contingent will march in
the Unity 2000 Protest.  Rendezvous at 8:30 a.m.  on Sunday, July 30, at
30th Street Station outside the McDonalds.  Info:
http://www.atheists.org/nj

* WEST COAST, LOS ANGELES -  The Democrats meet in Los Angeles August 14-17,
and American Atheists is planning at least one protest event.  Info:
http://www.atheists.org/ca/ *CONVENTION PROTEST web page at
http://www.atheists.org/action/defwall2000.html

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President      (973) 334-5110
Dave Kong, CA Director        (415) 771-9872
Ron Barrier, Spokesperson     (718) 967-6453
Dave Silverman, NJ Director   (732) 302-2993

American Atheists, Inc.
P.O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402