AMERICAN ATHEIST PRESIDENT ELLEN JOHNSON TO SPEAK AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, NOV. 18, 2003

Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists will be a guest speaker at the University of Maryland on Tuesday, November 18, 2003.

Her talk, "Political Lessons From Dear Abby," will focus on the need for Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers to become active in political affairs, and demand a "seat at the table" in the discussion over First Amendment public policy issues.

A second-generation Atheist, Ms. Johnson has been a frequent guest on national and regional news programs including "Dayside," "Politically Incorrect," and "Hannity & Colmes." She served as Chairperson of the Godless Americans March on Washington (GAMOW) Task Force which brought thousands of nonbelievers to the nation's capital in an unprecedent show of unity in November, 2002, and now heads the Godless Americans Political Action Committee. She has served as President of American Atheists since 1996. Ellen Johnson has also testified before government agencies such as the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where she discussed the problem of religion-based harassment of students and other abuses in the public schools.

Her talk is sponsored by the Maryland Atheist Students Association.

Ms. Johnson's appearance will be at the University of Maryland-College Park Campus in the Student Union Brent Room #2112 on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 beginning at 7:00 PM. The Student Union building is located at Campus Drive and Union Lane. From the beltway (I-495), take Route 1 south, turn right on Campus Drive to enter the campus, and the Student Union will be on the right. There is paid parking across Union Lane. Turn right on Union Lane from Campus Drive -- the lot will be on the left.

Further down on Campus Drive is a free lot (Lot Z), about a three-minute walk from the Student Union. The campus can also be reached through local and regional transit, including AMTRAK and other carriers. More directions and information for visitors including parking, local eateries and lodging can be found at http://www.umd.edu/visitors

Information is also available by contacting Christopher A. Weed, President of MASA through weed@umd.edu or chrisweed@hotmail.com, or 301-405-1771.

WHO AND WHAT: American Atheists President Johnson speaking at the University of Maryland.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 7:00 PM

WHERE: University of Maryland-College Park, Student Union Brent Room #2112

MORE INFO: http://www.umd.edu/visitors Information is also available by contacting Christopher A. Weed, President of MASA through weed@umd.edu or chrisweed@hotmail.com, or 301-405-1771.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

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