AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
                P.O. Box 140195  Austin, TX 78714-0195
                            (512)458-1244

http://www.atheists.org                               For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE                                         October 26, 1997

                     American Atheists protest
                  "Crusader of Hate" Fred Phelps

    American Atheists today announced they will be in Provincetown,
Massachusetts, on Nov. 1, 1997 to protest Fred "God Hates Fags" Phelps and
his family of Christian bigots.
    Boston and Provincetown, Massachusetts are preparing for the onslaught
of the notorious anti-gay Christian cult.  Arriving from his Westboro Baptist
Church in Topeka, Kansas, Phelps' antics of hate and bigotry include dancing
on the graves of AIDS victims and flauting signs reading "God Hates Fags."
    Gil Lawrence, New England Director for American Atheists, stated, "It
is no coincidence that the book Mr. Phelps chooses to justify his 'crusade
of hate' is the Judeo-Christian bible.  He is simply a modern day reminder
of the hate, intolerance and superstition that religion has always forced
on people."
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for the organization, called for
other Atheist and freethought groups to join American Atheists.
    "It's time for the Atheist community to come out of the closet and join
us in protesting this bible-based bigotry," stated Mr. Barrier.
    American Atheists also invites Christian and other religious groups to
join in the protest.

For more information please contact:
Mr. Gil Lawrence, N.E. Dir.       (508)674-9607    glawrence@atheists.org
Mr. Ronald Barrier, Spokesperson  (718)356-8658    rbarrier@atheists.org