American Atheists Media Alert
http://www.atheists.org
"OKLAHOMA OUTRAGE," DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST ATHEISTS TOPIC OF ABC PROGRAM
This Friday, May 11, 2007 ~ Kagin, Smalkowski Family
WHAT: A special two-hour ABC Network program scheduled to air this
Friday, May 11 will discuss prejudice against Atheists in America,
particularly in the city of Hardesty, Oklahoma, where Nicole Smalkowski
was expelled from public school on false charges when she refused to
stand in a circle on the auditorium floor with the girls’ basketball
team and recite the “Lord’s Prayer."
Her father Chuck Smalkowski was falsely indicted on criminal charges,
all because of prejudice against their assertion of their rights as
Atheists. American Atheists participated in Chuck’s criminal trial that
resulted in three “Not Guilty” verdicts by a jury. Edwin Kagin,
National Legal Director for American Atheists, persuaded the jury to
swear to believe an Atheist under oath over a Christian if the facts so
warranted. Following the verdict, American Atheists and the Smalkowski
family filed a lawsuit for civil rights violations by state actors,
under color of state law, in the Federal Court of Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma. The Smalkowskis, Edwin Kagin, and Richard Dawkins share a
nine minute segment of this program that was recorded in ABC’s studios
in New York City, and on location in Hardesty and Guymon, Oklahoma.
Richard Rice, a Christian, who has agreed to serve as Oklahoma local
counsel in the lawsuit, was interviewed on camera in Oklahoma. The four
days of filming, condensed to nine minutes, will of necessity omit many
things and one or more of the persons filmed may be cut.
WHO: American Atheists members Nichole Smalkowski and Chuck Smalkowski
and Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director for American Atheists.
WHEN: Friday, May 11, 2007 for two hours, starting at 9:00 pm (EDT).
WHERE: 20-20 show on ABC television, thought to be titled “Religion in
America.”
MORE INFO:
www.atheists.org/flash.line/smalko1.htm
www.atheists.org/flash.line/smalko3.htm
www.atheists.org/legal/Smalkowski/Entry%20of%20Appearance%20Kagin%20file
d%2024%20Aug%202006.pdf
(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)
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Larry Mundinger (aa#451) American Atheists Internet Representative
<irep @ atheists.org> <http://www.atheists.org/>
<http://www.americanatheist.org/> <http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/>
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