January 12, 2006 Contact: Kryss Chupp 312-523-9495

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT:
Public Witness to Shine the Light on Abuse of Detainees

WHEN:
Tuesday, January 17, 12:00 pm Silent vigil will take place from 12-1 pm; at 12:45pm some participants will proceed to Senator Durbin’s office)

WHERE:
Federal Plaza (corner of Adams and Dearborn in downtown Chicago)

WHO:
Christian Peacemaker Teams

WHY:
To shine light on torture and abuse of Iraqi detainees.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and active witness against all forms of violence, members and supporters of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) will gather at Federal Plaza. Participants will engage in a silent vigil/dramatization: shining light on hooded detainee(s) to illuminate the less visible attrocities of war and occupation. Passersby are invited to sign a giant petition/postcard which a delegation will present to Senator Durbin’s office at the close of the vigil.

Photo Op: Hooded detainee(s) standing on cartons, with people shining light on them. At 12:45pm, participants will carry giant postcard with signatures to Senator Durbin’s office.
Interview Op: Participants who have been in Iraq.

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks to enlist the whole church in organized nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict. Originally a violence-reduction initiative of the historic peace churches (Mennonite, Church of the Brethren, and Quaker). CPT now enjoys support and membership from a wide range of Christian denominations.