News from
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator - New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 1999
IN PROTEST OF KKK RALLY, SCHUMER LAUNCHES "PROJECT LEMONADE" TO RAISE MONEY FOR ANTI-BIAS GROUPS
In protest of a planned Ku Klux Klan rally, US Senator Charles E. Schumer today launched "Project Lemonade," a project which will raise money for anti-bias groups. The KKK plans to hold a rally in Manhattan tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, October 23. "We are here today to enlist all New Yorkers to join us in trying to turn evil into good -- to try and turn lemons into lemonade," said Schumer. "I know that as this weekend's rally of hate approaches, people in our city are confronting a range of emotions -- anger, frustration, sadness, helplessness, revulsion. We have a choice. We can be angry or frustrated or sad, or we can turn this deplorable event into a cause to make this world a better and more tolerant place." Schumer asked New Yorkers to pledge one dollar for each minute that a KKK member speaks at the rally to one of the following organizations:
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens
- Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF)
Schumer was joined by Abraham H. Foxman, the ADL National Director; Howie Katz, the ADL New York Regional Office Director; Hazel Dukes, President of the New York State Conference of the NAACP; Monsignor Howard Basler of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens; and Juan Figueroa, President of PRLDEF. "The KKK needs to know that for every moment they espouse their twisted brand of hate, dollars pour into organizations that stand up for minorities, justice, and tolerance," said Schumer. "They need to know that every time they spread their venom in a public place, the organizations that fight their bigotry and hatred will receive financial support from the overwhelming majority of good hearted people who oppose the Klan and what they espouse." The Senator made the first pledge of one dollar to each organization for every minute a KKK member speaks. "I am honored to make the first pledge. I pledge to donate one dollar for each moment a Klan member speaks to each of these humanitarian organizations," said Schumer. "I urge all New Yorkers to do what they can to take the sour lemons we have been given to make a satisfying glass of lemonade." The Anti-Defamation League is America's prime resource for information on organized bigotry. The League collects and assesses a vast amount of information on anti-Semites, racists and extremists. Those wishing to make a pledge to the Anti-Defamation League should contact: Anti-Defamation League
Attn: NY Regional Office
823 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
212-885-7970 The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States. The principal objective of the NAACP is to ensure the political, education, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States. Those wishing to make a pledge to the NAACP should contact: New York State Conference of NAACP
239 Broadway, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10006
212-344-7474 The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a national civil rights organization, works through advocacy, litigation and education to secure and protect the political, economic, social and legal rights of the Puerto Rican and Latino community. Those wishing to make a pledge to the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund should contact: Puerto Rico Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10013-2815
212-219-3380
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens provides social services to those in need, without regard to race, religion or socio-economic status. Those wishing to make a pledge to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens should contact: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens
191 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-722-6215 # # # |
