--- Following message extracted from AAOS @ 1:374/14 ---
    By Christopher Baker on Wed Jul 19 23:34:22 1995

From: Robin Murray-o'hair
To: All
Date: 18 Jul 95  23:44:00
Subj: Pope Picket 1995!

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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

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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.


 * OLXWin 1.00 * Dial-THE-Atheist at (512) 458-5731

 * Origin: American Atheists Online (512) 302-0223  (1:382/1006.0)