Get on the "Freedom Winter Bus" from Columbus to D.C.

[Carolab]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 31, 2004

CONTACTS:
We Do Not Concede Coalition Contacts (www.donotconcede.com) Zack Kaldveer,
Communications Coordinator, 510-938-2664 Sheri Myers, Volunteer Coordinator,
310-801-1819 Kat L'Estrange, Director, 541-510-5646

DISENFRANCHISED OHIO VOTERS MOBILIZING FOR HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS,
PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTEST BUS TRIP FROM COLUMBUS TO WASHINGTON, DC
Freedom Winter riders to confront legislators with personal tales of Jim Crow-like
civil rights violations, voter intimidation and suppression suffered in Ohio
on election day

U.S. (December 31, 2004) - National grassroots, pro-democracy organizations
have joined in defense of fundamental democratic principles with massive
rallies planned in both Columbus, Ohio on January 3 and in Washington, DC on
January 6 to express concern and outrage over election day snafus which made
it difficult, if not impossible, for many to vote in Ohio on November 2.
Bridging these two events is the 'Get Up On The Bus/Freedom Winter' campaign
sponsored by We Do Not Concede. In a reprise of the Freedom Summer civil
rights campaign of 1964, the disenfranchised voters of Ohio will board a bus
and/or caravan to Washington, DC on the morning of January 5.

"Just as Rosa Parks made a stand by claiming her seat at the front of the
bus over 40 years ago," says Columbus civic leader Rev. Bill Moss, "we're
traveling to DC on board the Freedom Winter bus ride to make a stand for our
constitutionally-protected right to vote that was denied so many of us in
Ohio."

The Get Up On The Bus campaign seeks to lobby Congress for support of the
petition to challenge Ohio's electors put before the joint session on
January 6. Rep. Conyers, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee,
appealed to the Senate on December 30 urging them to "debate and highlight
the problems in Ohio which disenfranchised innumerable voters."

"We want to ensure that the disenfranchised voters of Ohio get a chance to
look their political leaders in the eyes, tell them their story, and ask
them directly to defend their civil rights and stand up for democracy" says
Kat L'Estrange, We Do Not Concede. "We want these Senators to join
Representative John Conyers in contesting the legitimacy of Ohio's election
and demand a full investigation."

We Do Not Concede is engaged in a major fundraising effort to help cover the
costs of this unprecedented civil rights event to ensure all the riders can
afford to go to Washington and have their voices heard. The goal is to raise
$10,000 by January 3, 2005. To help with this effort, hip-hop artist, Wil
B. has released a new single, "Get Up On The Bus,"
available online soon.

The bus will depart from Faith Ministries Church, 2747 Agler Road, Columbus,
before dawn on January 5 arriving in Washington DC for a 1 o'clock press
conference in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club,
529 14th St NW, 13th floor. After the press conference, the Ohio riders will
visit the Senate offices to tell their stories of disenfranchisement. The
group plans to meet up with participants of the "Save Our Votes" March from
Baltimore to Washington, DC at Cherry Hill Park the evening of January 5,
and again on the morning of January
6 to march from Lafayette Park to the Defend Democracy Rally, Upper Senate
Park at noon.

Organizations who support the Freedom Winter bus ride are encouraged to
mobilize their members as quickly as possible to join in the caravan.
Volunteers are welcome along every step of this history journey. Media
inquires, please contact Zack Kaldveer, 510-938-2664. For all other
inquiries or to get involved, please contact Kat L'Estrange,
541-510-5646 or Sheri Myers, 310-801-1819, or visit www.donotconcede.com.

We Do Not Concede Coalition Contacts/Itinerary January 3-6, 2005

Kat L'Estrange, coordinator
[e-mail]
541-510-5646

Sheri Myers, volunteers
[e-mail]
310-801-1819

Zack Kaldveer, communications
[e-mail]
938-510-2664

Jonathan Simon, analysis, media/DC
[e-mail]
617-538-6012

ITINERARY

1/03/05 MONDAY
Columbus
10:00 - Rainbow PUSH Press Conference

2:00 - 4:00 Rainbow PUSH Pro-Democracy Rally Capitol Theater, 77 High
Street, downtown..) (across from Ohio State House)

We Do Not Concede Coalition Cafe Night
Screenings of Columbus Voter Fraud Footage and performance by Wil b - Hip
Hop Artist (depending on theatre availability, this event may take place
1/04/05)

1/04/05 TUESDAY
4:00 - 8:00 THE SEND-OFF TO DC
aft. Volunteers Invited to Create Banners
Assemble Care Packages for the
"Freedom Winter "
Evan Davis' home: 71 West Como

7:00 - 10:00 "Freedom Winter" Launch Party
p.m. (place TBD)

1/05/05 WEDNESDAY - BUS RIDE

4:30 a.m. Meet at Faith Ministries Church
2747 Agler Road Columbus 43224

5:00 a.m. BUS LEAVES for DC

PLANNED STOP - 7 a.m. (time and place TBA)

BRUNCH STOP: Cumberland, Maryland
10 a.m. (Place TBA)

1:00 p.m. "Freedom Winter" Ohio Bus Riders
Press conference - Zenger Room
National Press Club
529 14th St., NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045

2-3:00 p.m. Ohio Riders Visit Senate Offices

EVENING- Dinner and Tent Revival Meeting at the Cherry Hill Park with "Save
Our Votes March"

OVERNIGHT - STAY - HOTEL TBD

1/06/05 THURSDAY

11:00 a.m. March from Lafayette Park (?) to
Upper Senate Park with Save Our Votes marchers

12:00 p.m. Defend Democracy Rally, Upper Senate Park

4:00 p.m. "Freedom Winter" Bus departs for Columbus.