AUSTIN AGAINST WAR

- For Immediate Release -

AUSTIN AGAINST WAR
September 17, 2001


NEW GROUP OPPOSED TO WAR EMERGES IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
JOINS CALL FOR NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WAR ON SEPT. 20
JOINS CALL FOR TEXAS RALLY AGAINST WAR AND RACISM ON SEPT. 29

Austin, TX -- About 100 people met Sunday evening for an anti-war organizing
and planning meeting in East Austin. The group, now calling itself Austin
Against War, agreed to three broad points of unity: to oppose war, to defend
against racist attacks and to protect civil liberties.

Austin Against War is joining the call for a National Day of Action on
Thursday, Sept. 20, and will be holding a 5:30 p.m. rally in Austin at the
Texas State Capitol at 11th & Congress.

The formation of the new group comes 5 days after terrorists attacked the
World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Many at Sunday's meeting had attended a
large community meeting last Wednesday at the University of Texas and two
rallies held on Friday, one at UT and the other at the Capitol.

At these events sadness was expressed over the tragic loss of life in the
Sept. 11 attacks. But concern was also voiced over how the United States is
responding - fears that the U.S. could push us into World War III.

Besides this Thursday's rally, Austin Against War joins the Austin Democracy
Coalition in calling for a Texas Rally Against War And Racism to be held in
Austin on September 29. On this day people will gather at 3:00 p.m. in
Kealing Park at Rosewood and Angelina and march to the Capitol for a 4:30
p.m. rally.

Also, the group is calling for a regular presence at the Capitol at 5:30
p.m. every day.

Until Austin Against War's web site is up and running, more information
about Austin's new anti-war efforts can be found on these web sites:

http://austin.indymedia.org
http://www.progressiveaustin.org
http://www.nowarcollective.com
http://austindemocracycoalition.org

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