FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8, 2003

For More Information Contact:Southern Colorado Coalition Against the War on Iraq (SCCAWI) (719) 632-6189http://www.sccawi.org

PEACE RALLY, SUNDAY, APRIL 13, IN COLORADO SPRINGS’ MEMORIAL PARKRetired Brigadier General, Sailor’s Mother, Vietnam Vet to Speak

Colorado Springs, April 8, 2003- The Southern Colorado Coalition Againstthe War on Iraq (SCCAWI), in conjunction with the and the Pikes PeakJustice and Peace Commission (PPJPC), will host a Peace Rally and Marchto be held Colorado Springs’ Memorial Park on Sunday, April 13. Theevent will begin at 12:00 noon at Pikes Peak and Hancock, and will include music and speakers and a march along Pike’s Peak Avenue.

Among those scheduled to speak at the event are Brigadier General OwenW. Lentz, Retired, and military mom, Christy Pitts, whose son is inthe Navy currently serving in Iraq.

“We must not park our consciences about the direction of our nation’s foreign policy when war begins,” says General Lentz. “Rather, we must encourage a ceasefire as early as possible and a return to working closely with the U.N. and NATO, both in helping Iraqis rebuilding their country and in working to calm the rage our actions have caused among many in the Arab world.”

“This rally is a peaceful gathering,” says Criz Stoddard, an organizerof the Southern Colorado Coalition Against the War in Iraq, “This is aplatform to provide a voice to the good people here who disagree thatour current Administration’s actions are the only possible solution tothe situation in Iraq. We truly do support our troops, our friends andfamily members who are serving overseas, and we want them brought homesafely and swiftly.”

“We want Colorado Springs to know that we stand in solidarity with themillions of people across the globe who believe this war is both illegaland immoral.” says Dorothy Schlaeger, executive director of the PikesPeak Justice and Peace Commission.

About SCCAWIOn Friday, March 7, the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission endorsedthe formation of a broad-based, non-violent coalition of individuals andgroups in Southern Colorado to oppose war on Iraq. This coalition(SCCAWI) extends the non-violent antiwar mobilizing efforts of the PikesPeak Justice and Peace Commission to include Southern Colorado groupsand individuals opposing war on Iraq. Last week, representatives fromSCCAWI met with the Colorado Springs Police Department to coordinatetheir efforts to assure a peaceful and incident-free rally.

ABOUT BRIGADIER GENERAL OWEN LENTZ (retired)go to http://www.af.mil/news/biographies/lentz_ow.html