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

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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

July 18, 2005

Contact: Bono, NAA (Durham, NC) 919-423-3748

Jo Pike, NAA (n, SC) 843-206-8449

Rita Shreffler, NAA (Nixa, MO) 417-818-9030

Fournier, NAA (Portsmouth, RI) 401-632-7523

Lori 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 POISONING

Washington, 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

Weldon

About 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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Think Autism. Think Cure.