Peace Vigil Along the Route of Sunday's Marathon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT PERSON: MARY BISHARAT 916-485.6455



PEACE VIGIL ALONG THE ROUTE OF SUNDAY'S MARATHON

Members of the peace and justice communities will be climbing
out of bed early Sunday morning, Dec. 05, to give peace messages to
both runners and spectators regarding the war against Iraq. Members
and supporters will stand at intersections and the finish line with
their signs.

"This is a golden opportunity to get our message out", stated
Elk Grove's Lorraine Krofchok, director of Grandmothers for Peace, an
international organization with headquarters here in Sacramento. "We
are very concerned about the loss of life. We read that 250,000 Iraqi
civilians fled Falluja, but tens of thousands were left in the city.
What has happened to them? We are not being told what we need to
know".

She continued, "Falluja is a city the size of Sacramento-
imagine what it would be like for us if that happened here? Our signs
will reflect our concern: End the War on Iraq, Killed:100,000 Iraqi
civilians, maimed: tens of thousands", and the number of Americans
killed is rising every day".

Public opinion is the world's second super power. Most of the
world is against American occupation of Iraq, especially with
casualties mounting among our armed forces, and no end in sight."There
will be runners from around the world and thousands of spectators. We
want them to know that Sacramento has a conscience", concluded Mary
Bisharat, a grandmother of 12. She noted that the Bee will print a map
on Saturday, and invites people of conscience to join in the vigiling.
"They can participate and still go to church or have a second
espresso, so we welcome them."

Maggie Coulter, president of Peace Action, a national
organization with over 30 chapters agreed, saying "We must end the
war, and bring the troops home." She was joined in that view by George
Main, Vietnam war veteran and member of Veterans for Peace, another
national prganization.

note- the route can be downloaded at
http://www.runcim.org/data/marmap.html