The Context of the Current Crisis
---------------------------------

        As if the retrial of Alabama's Judge Moore's "right" to inflict his
religious beliefs on the public wasn't enough, Moore supporters plan to hold
a rally this Saturday (4-12-97) to show their belief in his tyranny...er,
leadership.  First begun as a demonstration by the local Baptist
organizations, the Christian Coalition has joined in to make the event even
more enjoyable to everyone.  Also in attendance (supposedly) will be several
members of the so-called Army of God, a hate group that has gained fame
recently by claiming to have planted the bombs that recently went off in a
clinic and bar in Atlanta.

What We are Going to Do
-----------------------

        Although it is too late to obtain a permit to demonstrate (as
required in Montgomery in order to simply picket), freethought forces still
plan to make an appearance.  Individual members of the Birmingham
Freethought Society, along with members of the Alabama Freethought
Association, and Freedom From Religion Foundation will be on the scene
making waves in their usual fashion, ruining everyone's fun with large signs
and evil atheistic propoganda.  Ah, it should be fun.
        
        The event will be held in the afternoon of Saturday, April 12 on the
steps of the capitol building at 1 PM.  Freethiners will probably be on the
sidewalk or some other place highly visible but out of the general traffic
(ah, the better not to get arrested with, my dear).  If anyone would care to
come and help, please do.  I'm sure we won't be hard to find.

        If you live in Birmingham, Alabama (or close), you can join several
of the BFS/AFA/FFRF members in a last minute planning session on Friday
night.  We will be discussing media statements and safety protocol (*), and
making signs.  For more information on the whereabouts and time of that
event, please contact me at the phone number or email address below.

(*)  Those attending:  Please remember that the "Army of God" is a hate
group allegedly responsible for two bombings and several threats to "non
Christian" organizations.  According to BFS sources, electronic mail and
other communications between suspected members of the AoG have suggested
that not only will they be in attendance, but they will be violent towards
[separation of church and state] demonstrators.
        Although it seems unlikely that the AoG will attempt to hurt anyone
on the steps of the capital building, it is important that all who plan to
attend are aware of this danger and are careful to stay in large groups
(preferably in front of the media at all times).

        Again: if anyone needs any more information, please feel free to
contact me.  If your email program has the ability to do so, assign a high
priority to your message when you send it.  If you want to call me, do so
after 5:30 PM cst.

"The time appears to me to have come when it is the duty of all to make
their dissent from religion known."  -John Stuart Mill

In freethought,

Adam


__________________________________

Adam Butler
Director, Birmingham Freethought Society
Communications Coordinator, Alabama Freethought Society
abutler@uab.edu
http://www.dpo.uab.edu/~abutler/
(205)250-0179

Alabama Freethought Association:  
http://www.mindspring.com/~alfreethought

Birmingham Freethought Association:  
http://www.dpo.uab.edu/~abutler/bfs