Second Amendment Sisters Oppose Anti-Rights Fund raiser at the French Embassy

LAKEWAY, TX -- It's billed as a birthday celebration for famed columnist Art Buchwald, but this party's main purpose is to raise funds for an organization determined to deprive Americans of their basic human right of self-defense - with the French Embassy providing the venue for the occasion.

"This isn't about having a fundraiser. Everyone has them," said Deb Altrath, Co-Founder and President of Second Amendment Sisters. "This is about the French Embassy hosting a fundraiser for a group that will use those funds to deprive American citizens of their constitutional rights."

"If this were for AIDS research or cancer research, that would be different. But it's not. The French Embassy is aiding and abetting the destruction of the United States Constitution by hosting this event for the Brady Campaign," added Mari Thompson, another of SAS's Co-Founders.

The Sisters have drafted a letter of protest to the French Ambassador, and are urging others to do the same. The letter is available for viewing at SAS's website, www.2asisters.org.

Here is a copy of the letter that has been faxed to the French Embassy. (They will also receive a snail-mailed hard copy of the letter.) COPY OF LETTER:

I am a supporter of the nearly 80 million gun owners in the United States who oppose your collaboration with the Brady Campaign and its efforts to undermine the rights of American citizens.

The Brady Campaign uses its funds to lobby for legislation that places severe restrictions on gun ownership in the United States. Studies have shown that gun control only serves to increase the rates of violent crime because criminals will not obey these laws; the restrictions that the Brady Campaign calls for only effect those who choose to obey them. Law-abiding citizens such as myself will therefore be at the mercy of those to whom laws means nothing.

I hereby ask that you withdraw your support for the Brady Campaign’s fundraising effort.

Second Amendment Sisters is a women's advocacy group dedicated to preserving the basic human right of self-defense.

I just receive this from a friend in the media:

Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence: Celebrating a Memorable Man and a Remarkable Career

9/14/2005 2:50:00 PM

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor, Entertainment Reporter

Contact: Peter Hamm of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 202-898-0792

News Advisory:

The columnist Art Buchwald is celebrating his 80th Birthday on Sept. 28. His birthday party is going to be a fitting fiesta, at the Embassy of France in Washington D.C., with lions of journalism and politics in attendance.

Outside, there will be some protesters -- clearly, people who haven't read enough Buchwald columns to learn how to lighten up.

Columnist Mark Shields will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Mike Wallace and Ben Bradlee will share reminiscences. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend will tell stories about Buchwald the babysitter. The event is being hosted by a who's who of journalism and politics spanning the better part of a century.

Since he lived in France for so many years when he worked for the New York Herald Tribune, the French Embassy offered to host a party. Buchwald said he wanted it to be a fundraiser for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a favorite charity. When word leaked out about the party, a group called the Second Amendment Sisters sent a strong letter of protest to the French Ambassador, attacking the party's link to gun violence prevention efforts.

Mr. Buchwald was delighted. "I never heard of the Sisters, but a friend told me their Nunnery was in Dodge City, next to the O.K. Coral, and they kept their guns under their habits," he said. He added "their protest will make my 80th birthday more memorable."

WHAT: Art Buchwald's 80th Birthday Party

WHEN: Wednesday, September 28, 6:30 PM

WHERE: Embassy of France, Washington D.C.

Accredited journalists who wish to cover the event should contact Peter Hamm or Zach Ragbourn in the Brady Center Communications office at 202-898-0792.

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