POPE PICKET 1995! Who said Atheist activism couldn't be fun Join American Atheists for fou

POPE PICKET 1995! Who said Atheist activism couldn't be fun? Join American Atheists for four days of protests, camaraderie, tours, and get-togethers October 4, 5, 6, and 7, 1995 New York, New York A PROUD TRADITION It was back in 1979 that a group of American Atheists first set up a picket line against Pope John Paul II when he visited Chicago, Illinois. Then American Atheist picketers were there in Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Detroit when the pope came again in 1987. In 1993, American Atheists again displayed their displeasure with Vatican imperialism when the pope came to Denver. Now the pope is scheduled to speak to the United Nations in New York City on Thursday, October 5, and then hold masses in New Jersey, New York, and Baltimore, Maryland, over the next three days. And American Atheists will again be on hand to let the world know that the pope has no god-given authority to tell everyone how to behave. And that our city and state governments should not be subsidizing his travels. But to do that we need _your_ help. What counts in a picket against a foreign "head of state" (which is what government officials call him in order to justify spending your tax dollars on his visits to the U.S.) is numbers. The more bodies and signs on our picket lines the better. YOUR PARTICIPATION WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! BUT YOU ALSO GET TO HAVE FUN But don't think that the entire weekend of the pope picket will be devoted to earnest Atheist activism. You will revel in the camaraderie of this protest as you get to know other participants and make new Atheist friends from across the country. Board members and national officers of American Atheists (including Jon Murray, president of American Atheists and Robin Murray-O'Hair, president of the American Atheist Library) will be shoulder to shoulder with you on the picket line -- and at the social get-togethers afterwards you can meet Dr. Madalyn O'Hair, founder of American Atheists. DON'T FORGET THE BOOKS! American Atheists will set up a special book display at the Pope Picket Hotel. You will be able to browse and buy a selection of books, booklets, bumper stickers, caps, and -- of course -- the special commemorative Pope Picket 1995 T-shirt. GETTING AROUND No need to rent a car! American Atheists has selected an official Pope Picket hotel site within walking distance or easy bus/subway or commuter train passage to all New York protest sites. WHEN TO BE THERE The most important picketing date is Thursday, October 5 when Pope John Paul II addresses the UN General Assembly in New York City. You should also plan to be on hand for the Wednesday, October 4 picket outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey. The pope will also face American Atheists outside the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens on Friday, October 6; and as he celebrates Mass and delivers a homily in Central Park on the Great Lawn Saturday, October 7, and when he speaks at famous St. Patrick's Cathedral. The pope has other scheduled appearances, but for logistical reasons American Atheists will sponsor protests only at these five sites. WHAT TO BRING American Atheists will provide signs and banners on the key themes of Atheist displeasure with Vatican pronouncements on world moral, educational, and regulatory issues. All you need to bring is your enthusiasm! WHERE TO STAY American Atheists has arranged economical lodging for picketers in New York City. The official Pope Picket hotel is the PICKWICK ARMS HOTEL at 230 East 51st Street in Manhattan. Special group rates have been negotiated at this little gem of a hotel in the heart of Manhattan for two types of rooms: Room Choice 1: For single participants to share are suites of two single rooms (one twin bed each) connected by a small room with shower and commode. Each sleeping room has its own television, phone, and desk, including a sink and mirrored medicine chest. The special rate is $58.63 (tax included) per person for these rooms. Room Choice 2: For participating couples, there is one room with a double bed and a separate bathroom. The special rate here is $109.59 (tax included) per double occupancy (one double bed) room. To reserve your room for Pope Picket 1995 at these special rates, which are fantastic for accommodations in Manhattan, call the Pickwick Arms at 1-800-742-5945 or 1-212-355-0300, or FAX 212-755-5029. Tell them you are with group number G1314, whether you are single or a couple, and which nights you need to stay. One night's deposit or a major credit card is required to guarantee your room. The hotel management asks that you please call between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. EDT, Monday through Friday. These special rates are good for the nights of Tuesday, October 3 through Saturday, October 7 inclusive. The deadline for making your reservation with the Pickwick Arms is Thursday, August 31, 1995. After that date, you can still stay at the Pickwick Arms, but you cannot get the special group rate. If you are driving into New York City for Pope Picket 1995, there is underground parking (no vans) available at a New York Parking Co. lot at 251 E 51st St. (212-355-8232) right across the street from the Pickwick Arms. AND THEN THERE'S THE BIG APPLE New York City is world famous as a tourist site -- with many museums, historical sights, restaurants, and shops. You will have plenty of time to visit it on your own (or in the company of fellow Atheists) on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, (October 4, 5, and 6) in between protest events or on Sunday, October 8, after all the pope picketing activities are over. American Atheists may organize a bus tour of freethought historical sights in Manhattan for those staying at the Pickwick Arms. THE SCHEDULE Wednesday, October 4: John Paul II will be winging his way to New York City during the morning while American Atheist leaders hold a press conference in Manhattan -- and New Jersey Atheists should be making their way to Newark, New Jersey, for Pope Picket preparations. During the day, those traveling in from outside the area can check in with American Atheists at the official Pope Picket hotel, pick up some anti-papal goodies on sale, and start meeting other Atheists. At 5:00 P.M., there will be a picket by local area residents (with their own transportation) outside Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark where the pope will be leading evening prayer. At 8:00 P.M., there will be an Orientation Dinner at a site near the Pickwick Arms for those planning to participate in the next three days' protests. Thursday, October 5: This is the big day! During the morning the pope will address the General Assembly of the United Nations. American Atheist demonstrators will be on hand to picket during the pope's arrival, speech, and departure. Having done their good deed for the day, picketers will then break for lunch. That afternoon is free for you to explore Manhattan, with local members available as guides. Friday, October 6: Don't stay up too late carousing with fellow Atheists! You will need to be up early this morning to picket John Paul II as he conducts a Mass at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens (just North of Kennedy Airport). Saturday, October 7: This is a "double header" day for American Atheists picketers. First, we will protest at the Papal Mass on the Great Lawn in Central Park at 9:30 A.M. Then, after lunch together, we will be on hand for the pope's arrival at St. Patrick's Cathedral where he is scheduled to recite the rosary and deliver a brief address at 3:30 P.M. Then you are free to explore the Big Apple with newfound friends, or just relax. But it's not over yet, as that night you will want to join your comrades on the picket line for a Pope Picket 95 Farewell Dinner at a restaurant near the Pickwick Arms. AIRLINE RATES American Atheists is unfortunately not able to offer an "official" Pope Picket 1995 airline with special discounts. If you are traveling by air, we recommend that you fly into the LaGuardia Airport in New York, which is the closest to the lodging accommodations American Atheists has arranged for Pope Picket participants. Transportation to and from LaGuardia and the Pickwick Arms Hotel in Manhattan is available through Gray Line Air Shuttle Co. (212-757-6840) at a cost of $13.00 each way. To find the best airfares, you should book your air travel as early as possible. TRAVEL AGENCY Let the experienced professionals at Four Seasons Travel in Austin, Texas, coordinate your Pope Picket trip without any charge to you. To have them find the deals that best suit your schedule and your budget, call Four Seasons Travel toll-free at 1-800-955-3687 (8:30 A.M.-5:30 P.M. CDT, Monday-Friday). Ask for Sonnie or Wendy and tell them you are an American Atheist picketer. PICKET REGISTRATION Registering for the picket is important to help American Atheists plan for picket permits, transportation, advertising, press releases and media contacts, and necessary supplies (like picket signs!). The nominal fee also helps to cover costs. Registration is just $12 per person. Lodging and meal costs are separate. Registration is nonrefundable. Please mail your registration to: American Atheists Convention, P.O. Box 140195, Austin, TX 78714-0195. To register by telephone using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call (512) 458-1244 between 9 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. CDT M-F. You can also register by FAX 24 hours a day; just dial (512) 467-9525. Or use the American Atheist BBS at (512) 302-0223. After you register, you will receive further information on lodging, meals, and other picket activities during September via first class mail. QUESTIONS? Call the national office of American Atheists at (512) 458-1244, 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. CDT, Monday through Friday. Or write: Pope Picket 1995, P.O. Box 140195, Austin, TX 78714-0195. E-mail: picket95@atheist.org FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION After September 1, call (212) 479-7734 for the latest updates and schedules for Pope Picket 1995. This 24-hour voice mail box will be regularly updated with news and information regarding the picket activities. *********************************************************************** * * * American Atheists website: http://www.atheists.org * * PO Box 140195 FTP: ftp://ftp.atheists.org * * Austin, TX 78714-0195 * * Voice: (512) 458-1244 Dial-THE-ATHEIST: * * FAX: (512) 467-9525 (512) 458-5731 * * * * Atheist Viewpoint TV: avtv@atheists.org * * Info on American Atheists: info@atheists.org, * * & American Atheist Press include your name and mailing address * * AANEWS -Free subscription: aanews-request@listserv.atheists.org * * and put "info aanews" in message body * * * * This text may be freely downloaded, reprinted, and/other * * otherwise redistributed, provided appropriate point of * * origin credit is given to American Atheists. * * * ***********************************************************************