Contact: Kevin McDermott, 708-615-1603, kevinmcd (at) anubis.com
Bill Barclay, 708-386-1371, chocolatehouse (at) sbcglobal.net
Laurel Lambert Schmidt, 708-447-9577, llambertschmidt (at) yahoo.com



Thousands Expected at 2006 Chicago Area Peace Fair
Performers and Activists to Showcase the Powers of Peace September 9 in Oak Park

OAK PARK (August 31, 2006) – As the Iraq War and Occupation drags on, thousands of Chicago area activists and supporters will showcase the “Powers of Peace” in a tapestry of alternative visions at the 2006 Chicago Area Peace Fair, September 9 from noon to 5 pm at Scoville Park at corner of Oak Park Ave and Lake St. in Oak Park, IL. The Fair is organized by Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice (OPCTJ) together with more than two dozen co-sponsoring groups. Admission is free and open to all.

The Peace Fair consists of a “Peace Trade Show,” with scores booths representing the diversity of peace groups throughout the Chicago area as well as a main stage with rock, jazz, world, folk music and performance art, speakers and local politicians; children’s activities with music, crafts and storytelling; public art exhibits, and a feature length film screening.

Main stage performances feature Lubriphonic, the blues born soul/rock/pop/funk band and seven more entertainers: Bucky Halker, rocking songs of justice and labor; Mike Levin/Donald Neale ensemble, virtuoso jazz; Too Much Fun, drum music of West Africa; VOICES, progressive harmonies from around the world; Organic Flow/Reverend Funk band from OPRFHS; Dave Martin, peace musician and activist; Nina Corwin, poet and performance artist.

Also on the main stage with short messages of peace are: IL State Representative Karen Yarbrough, Iraq mom, Georgia Stillwell of Military Families Speak Out and local IL State Senator, Don Harmon. Dick Kay, political editor for NBC Channel 5 News; James Thindwa, Executive Director of Illinois Jobs with Justice and Larry Spivack, President of the Illinois Labor History Society will share emcee duties.

Showings “of Eyes Wide Open” (empty boots to represent the fallen); from AFSC and “Creating Peace” a collaborative community art project in memory of lives lost in Iraq will comprise the open air art exhibitions.

The Oak Park Library (adjacent to Scoville Park in the Veteran’s Room) will present Voices in Wartime, a feature-length documentary of sharp images and poetry, at 2:00 pm as contribution to the Peace Fair.

Fair organizer, the Oak Park Coalition for Truth & Justice is a volunteer driven organization that seeks to promote awareness of events, explore humanitarian alternatives to war, protect our civil liberties, find alternative responses to terrorism, and empower dissent. OPCTJ was born in the aftermath of the 9/11tragedy and has marked its anniversary each year with an event that emphasizes community, culture and empowerment. The first Peace Fair, held last year on September 10, 2005 drew thousands of participants and fair goers.

Please visit www.opctj.org for further information, a complete list of sponsors and performance schedules.

Contact: Kevin McDermott, 708-615-1603, kevinmcd (at) anubis.com
Bill Barclay, 708-386-1371, chocolatehouse (at) sbcglobal.net
Laurel Lambert Schmidt, 708-447-9577, llambertschmidt (at) yahoo.com