Date: Wed, 15 Dec 93 16:24:39 EST
From: neighbors@aol.com

                         LESBIGAY ACTION TASK FORCE
                          THE CITIZENS FOR NEW COLUMBIA 

                             PRESS RELEASE

Contact:	George Neighbors, Jr.
	202-638-4200
	202-737-4176


         Trial Set for April 12, 1994 for 23 Arrested in Latest DC Statehood
Action 


December 15, 1993- Washington, DC --  Following the final march prior to the
vote on HR 51, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton's (D-DC) bill to establish
equal voting representation in the US Congress for DC residents, 23 people
were arrested on November 18 for obstructing access to Capitol grounds.  

	The 23 were arraigned on December 1 and went to pre-trial today.  Their
court date is set for April 12, 1994.  Among the 23 co-defendants, three are
with the Lesbigay Action Task Force: Tony Summers of the DC Coalition of
Black Lesbians, Bisexuals and Gays, Karen Armagost, former president of the
DC Gertrude Stein Club, and co-chair of the Lesbigay Action Task Force,
George Neighbors, Jr.

	There are over 200 arrests related to the Statehood movement.  The first
trial is set for February 22, 1994.  The trials are political in nature. 
They are an attempt to put the government on trial for denying DC residents
taxation without representation, among other issues.  

	Interested parties should contact George Neighbors, Jr. at 202-638-4200 or
202-737-4176; Barbara Helmick at 202-462-6702 or; John Capozzi at
202-544-0821, for more information.  


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