Community for Creative Non-Violence


                                                                For further information, contact:

                                                                Justin Brown      202-393-2459
                                                                Carol Fennelly    202-638-4440
                                                                Mitch Snyder      202-667-6407

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                   A CALL TO PRAYER AND RESISTANCE

 A MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AT THE WHITE  HOUSE IN  RESPONSE TO THE REAGAN PROPOSALS

                        " 'Only the Lord can now block approval
                             of Reagan's spending cuts."
                                                      Tip O'Neil quoted in the
                                                      Washington Post, May 7, 1981


 In an attempt to portray the widespread human devastation that will result
 from the Reaqan administration's proposed "budget cuts" (a misnomer, since
 the budget is, in fact, to be increased), people from many walks of life
 will participate in a month-long campaign of civil disobedience at the
 White House.

 Beginning Tuesday, June 2, and continuing through Friday, July 3, people
 will be entering the White House, via the Public tour line, and, at various
 locations, they will kneel and pray.  By remaining in prayer, they will
 face arrest. There will be 24 actual days of activity, since the White
 House is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday (from lOam to 12:30pm).
 The action is similar to one undertaken during the Nixon administration's
 bombing of Cambodia in 1973. (See enclosed brochure.)

 People of mary backgrounds and concerns have responded to the "Call to
 Prayer and Resistance," far exceeding the expectations of the organizers:
 the Community for Creative Non-Violence in Washington, and the Jonah House
 community in Baltimore. Together, yet with unique identities and traditions
 that express the depth and breadth of the destruction of the Reagan pro-
 posals, the will offer that most radical, necessary, and transforming
 action: prayer.

 Several of the days are being organized to highlight specific groups and
 concerns, such as June 2 (health  care), June 17 (veterans), June 18 (the
 Black community), June 19 (women), and June 26 (families). Other groups
 now forming include the elderly, the religious community, and Hispanics.

In addition to hundreds of participants from across the country, a growing number of people of national prominence will take part in and support the call: among them will be Dr. Benjamin Spock (on June 2), Dick Gregory, Russell Means, Howard Zinn, theologian Dr. Harvey Cox, Albert Russo (formerly director of the DC Department of Human Services), Rep. Parren Mitchell, Phillip & Daniel Berrigan, Howard Moreland (author of "the H'Bomb Secret"), Sr. Mary Marsden (U.S. Provincial, Carmelite Sisters of Charity), Elizabeth McAllister, and many others.

                                                      
 1345 Euclid Street N.W.                                           Washington, D.C. 20009
                                                                  202-667-6407