Debate to Bring 700 Attendees Together for 'Power of Truth' in DC July 20

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PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release:July 18, 2005 Contact: Bono, NAA (Durham, NC) 919-423-3748Jo Pike, NAA (n, SC) 843-206-8449Rita Shreffler, NAA (Nixa, MO) 417-818-9030 Fournier, NAA (Portsmouth, RI) 401-632-7523Lori McIlwain, NAA (Cary, NC) 919-741-1646 Bono, NAA (Durham, NC) 919-423-3749 Debate to Bring 700 Attendees Together for ‘Power of Truth’ in DC July 20 NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION WILL JOIN IN PUSH TO REMOVE MERCURY IN MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MASS POISONINGWashington, DC – A large turn-out is expected in DC on July 20 for the ‘Power of Truth’ rally. Over 700 supporters have registered to attend the event, which will mark the first comprehensive unified effort to push for the removal of mercury from all medicinal products, including domestic vaccines and those currently exported to third-world countries. The National Autism Association (NAA), a 501c3 non-profit organization that advocates for children’s rights and provides financial aid to affected families, is one of eleven national orgs to support the joint effort. Executive Director Jo Pike says her organization will also be there to spread awareness about numerous peer-reviewed studies that have shown a link between mercury and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. “Our children will never receive the care they need unless our government health agencies admit what’s happened,” says Pike.

For years, parents and supporters of the link have been labeled as ‘anti-vaccine’ after speaking out against thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in vaccines and other inoculations. "The argument is not about vaccines," says Bono, chair of NAA, "It is about a neurotoxin being placed within medical products to which our children are exposed.” Rita Shreffler of NAA agrees. “We need to keep our children's rights intact. They depend on us to be their voice, and to make sure other children are not exposed. If we are anti-vaccine, they are pro-poison. I am against poison, and we will fight for its removal on July 20th."Members of NAA will meet with legislators later that day in hopes to prevent legislation that indemnifies drug companies from thimerosal-related liability. The last rally of this kind centered around the repeal of a rider placed in the Homeland Security Act which protected Eli Lilly from thimerosal litigation. A partial list of speakers include:Zachary Barsamian, 5-year-old recovered child; Coy Barefoot, Dads Against Mercury; Congressman Dan Burton; Amy Carson, Co-Founder, Moms Against Mercury; Lujene , Co-Founder, No Mercury; Barbara Loe Fisher, President, National Vaccine Information Center; Fournier, President, National Autism Association; Boyd Haley, PhD; Kirby, Author of Evidence of Harm; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; Lyn and Will Redwood; Reynolds, Unlocking Autism; Dr. Wakefield; Congresswoman Diane ; Congressman Dave WeldonAbout the event:- A march will begin in front of the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street S.W. at 8:30 am. - The march will end on the West Front grassy area in front of the Capitol Building- At 9:30, a press conference and rally will begin.NAA President Fournier says it’s time for the government to see how many affected families there are. “We are not a small group, we are very large and very determined to promote positive change for future generations. No matter what the financial burden may be in removing the mercury, we as a society cannot put a price-tag on the health and safety of our children.”For more information or to register for the event, visit www.nationalautism.org.

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