FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2010
CONTACT: Lonnie Soury, Soury Communications, Inc.
(212) 414-5857 (office)
(917) 519-4521 (cell)
lsoury@aol.com
Voices for Justice: A Rally in Support of the West Memphis 3
7:30pm on Saturday, August 28th at
Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock, Arkansas
Words by Rev. Thompson Murray (Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church) and Arkansas Take Action Representatives
Video Messages from Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley
Plus Acoustic Performances by Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines and Special Guests
Little Rock, AR – Over 17 years ago Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols, and Jessie Misskelley were convicted of a crime that they did not commit. Despite a lack of evidence at the time as well as mountains of new evidence sufficient for exoneration, the West Memphis 3 remain in prison, with Echols on death row.
In an effort to bring further attention to the wrongful convictions of the West Memphis 3, local support group Arkansas Take Action (ATA) announces Voices for Justice: A Rally in Support of the West Memphis 3.
On Saturday, August 28th, Rev. Thompson Murray and representatives from Arkansas Take Action will welcome guests to the intimate Robinson Center Music Hall in the heart of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.
New video messages from Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley will be unveiled at Voices for Justice. Arkansas Take Action is also proud to announce that the rally will include special acoustic performances by longtime West Memphis 3 supporters Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines, and special guests.
“We are incredibly honored to have Eddie and Natalie lend their voices to this important evening,” said ATA co-founder Capi Peck. “Their willingness to join us for Voices for Justice will help raise even more awareness about the profound injustice that continues to occur. We will not rest until our political and judicial leaders hear our voices and do the right thing.”
On September 30th, the Arkansas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Damien Echols’s appeal for a new trial. New DNA testing and other powerful forensic evidence –combined with a sworn affidavit that the original jury foreman engaged in blatant misconduct that contributed to the jury”s decision — prove that Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were wrongfully convicted.
“Voices for Justice will not only bring awareness to the case, but it will also be a chance for supporters to reflect and collectively send love and support to Damien, Jason and Jessie,” stated Echols’s wife Lorri Davis. “This type of support is what has helped sustain them throughout the last 17 years. “
Davis continues, “We hope this event will help us send the message to our political and judicial leaders that it is time to bring an end to this grave injustice.”
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the Voices for Justice rally go on sale Wednesday, August 18th at 9:00 AM CDT at www.ticketmaster.com (search for event Voices for Justice), all Ticketmaster outlets and in person at the Celebrity Attractions Ticket office (300 S. Spring, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201). Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CDT and Friday 9:00 AM to noon CDT. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. There are no Ticketmaster service fees for tickets purchased at the Celebrity Attractions ticket office.
Tickets are $25.00 plus applicable service fees. There is a four ticket per person limit. Tickets are not tax-deductible.
VOICES FOR JUSTICE EVENT DETAILS
WHO: Rev. Thompson Murray, Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, Arkansas Take Action representatives, Eddie Vedder, Natalie Maines and special guests
WHAT: A rally to increase awareness of the continued injustice visited upon Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols, and Jessie Misskelley, collectively known as the West Memphis 3
WHERE: Robinson Center Music Hall (Markham & Broadway streets)
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
WHEN: Saturday, August 28, 2010
Doors open at 6:30 PM CDT
Event begins at 7:30 PM CDT
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MEDIA CREDENTIALING PROCESS:
To formally submit a request for press coverage at the event and/or interviews with event organizers and artists, please contact Lonnie Soury at (212) 414-5857 (office),