News Advisory: No Memorial Day Display on Capitol Mall? Veterans file protest!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Contact: Cres Vellucci, Veterans for Peace 916/996-9170

ATTN: Daybook/Assignment Desk


No Memorial Day display on Capitol Mall?
Vets, others file protest, hold news
briefing Friday to chastise City

SACRAMENTO – Veterans, members of the ACLU and others will hold a major
news conference here Friday to criticize the City of Sacramento for
refusing to allow 120,000 white and red flags – remembering those who have
died in the Iraq War – to temporarily occupy otherwise empty city land
over the Memorial Day weekend.

The news conference will be held FRIDAY, at 10 a.m., at 9th & Capitol, on
the grassy street median – the potential site for the flags. Examples of
the flag will be "planted" there, permit or not.

Sponsors said permit approval for the display – part of a traveling display
which has been allowed in other U.S. cities, including Portland, OR and
Boulder, CO. – was assured by the city nearly 6 weeks ago, but the city at
the last moment has changed its mind just a few days ago.

Because of the late termination, sponsors believe the rejection is based on
the suspected political content of the display – something that may make
the rejection unconstitutional, and contrary to city ordinances, according
to legal experts.

Other than the tiny flag, sponsors said there will be no other literature
or political content.

"It's an outrage that on Memorial Day, of all days, our own city on our own
land won't allow us to remember those who have died fighting in this war,"
said Debra Reiger.

Some members of the City Council, including Vietnam veteran Ray Treathaway,
said they support the display, and have put it on the agenda for next week
– but it may be too late, said Reiger.

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