February 16, 2000
MEDIA ALERT
Students To Demonstrate
Against Racism in Austria
Day of Peaceful Protests Is Planned Around the World
On Wednesday, February 16, 2000, at 4:00 PM (GMT) Jews and Gentiles
around the world will begin a series of peaceful
demonstrations as an expression of deep dismay at the inclusion of the Freedom Party,
under the leadership of Jorg Haider, in the new Austrian government formed by President
Thomas Klestil.
WHO: Bnei Akiva and Yavne
Olami - two international student organizations are leading the day of protests with a
demonstration on the Italy/Austria border. A long list of international dignitaries have
been invited to join the main event which will be led by former Israeli cabinet minister
Ya'akov Ne'eman. The Orthodox Union is assisting in the facilitation of the day's events
by maintaining a special information section on its website @ www.ou.org
as well as by fielding phone calls and e-mail messages from concerned individuals and
major religious groups around the world. The Ezra Youth Movement, Religious Zionist Forum,
Mishmeret Tzeira of Religious Zionism, The National Conference of Synagogue Youth, World Union
of Jewish Students, World Mizrachi Movement, Hamagshimim-Hadassah, Young Judea, Kedmah,
Beitar-Tagar, Teen-to-Teen, American Network for Jewish Youth, Lausanne Union of Jewish
Students, and the Jewish Agency are among the dozens of organizations that have expressed
support for the students' activities and will be initiating the global response.
WHAT: The student organizations will lead peaceful
demonstrations against racism in front of local Austrian Embassies and Consulates
throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Israel over the next few weeks.
WHEN: U.S. protests
will take place on the 16th at 11:00 AM (EST)/8:00 AM (Pacific). Demonstrations in Israel
will be held at 6:00 PM (GMT+2). For more detailed information on times and locations,
please visit the OU website @ www.ou.org.
WHY: The day of protests against the inclusion of
Mr. Haider's ultranationalist party in the new Austrian government represents a strong
statement from the world community that it will not remain silent in the face of
intolerant and racist ideologies - wherever they may surface.
MORE INFORMATION: Organizations interested in
joining the effort, please contact Mike Cohen at 212.613.8176 or visit the OU website at www.ou.org for regular demonstration updates.
The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the
Jewish community of America and beyond, is the world leader in youth work,
advocacy for the disabled, synagogue services,
adult education and political action. Its kosher supervision label, the OU, is the world's most
recognized kosher symbol and can be found on nearly 250,000 products in 68 countries
around the globe.
###
www.ou.org
Comments?
Requests? Questions?
 Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
of America
Department of Public Relations
Sharyn Perlman, Director
Main Office:
11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-613-8221 Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail: media@ou.org |
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