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Michigan Atheists Newsletter
Special Edition
Greg Reich, Editor
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June 22, 2003

MICHIGAN ATHEISTS TO PROTEST DISCRIMINATION IN CARO ON JUNE 28

On Saturday, June 28, at 12:00 noon, Michigan Atheists will be meeting at Anonka Witch Museum at 119 N State St in Caro, Michigan to protest ongoing discrimination against Anonka and her family.

Many readers are already familiar with some of the events leading to this protest, but for those who aren't, the following is a summary of how a First Amendment case became a Fourteenth Amendment one, as well as a possible RICO (statutes applied in cases of conspiracy/organized crime) case.

In December of 2001, Anonka, the owner of a museum that brings to light the dark history of Christian discrimination toward witches, Atheists, and other people labeled heretics, stood up in a meeting to protest a nativity display on Caro city property. In response, the Tuscola County Commissioners who were conducting the meeting told her that she had no right to be there, then proceeded to ridicule and denounce her in front of all citizens in attendance.

There was no doubt that the nativity scene as displayed in 2001 did not fit inside constitutional boundaries. It stood alone, completely funded by the city, representing only the Christian view of the season surrounding Winter Solstice. The Tuscola County Commissioners took their cue from recent Supreme Court decisions and added some decorations to the display, such as toy soldiers. As a result, the case Anonka and her lawyer, Jean-Marie Hansen, brought into Federal Court in regard to Establishment Clause violations was dismissed. However, the discrimination remained.

Because of evidence brought before the court and because of apparent outbursts in the courtroom, the court decided that the Fourteenth Amendment case had merit. This decision is an important breakthrough for Anonka and Atheists everywhere.

Anonka describes herself as an Atheist, even though the press often describes her and her daughter as witches, almost always using "the witches" instead of their names in articles. If anyone needs strong evidence that Anonka is a self-proclaimed Atheist, they need only observe the tattoo on her wrist that labels her as such. She proclaimed it loudly at the Godless March on Lansing, while delivering a powerful, emotional speech to the 79 people in attendance. Because the court papers also describe her as an Atheist, a victory in this case means that Atheists are protected as a group under the Constitution.

Currently, there is a boycott of Anonka's museum and store in Caro. Businesses have posted crosses in their windows in a display of protest against Anonka's actions in regards to the nativity scene. Anonka and her family receive death threats. Their property has been vandalized and even stolen--with the theif/theives having left religious tracts behind. Anonka, however, remains strong; she even says that she is stronger now than she was in the beginning. She has stood up through it all, speaking out more loudly with each discriminatory act.

Please come to Caro to join in fighting discrimination against a fellow Atheist. We will be picketing on the streets of Caro, touring Anonka's Musem (please bring $11.00 for admission), and having a meal afterwards inside the museum. If you are willing to carpool, please notify Greg Reich at MIAtheistNews@aol.com, or call 248-352-2092.

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Michigan Atheists Newsletter
Special Edition
Greg Reich, Editor
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June 26, 2003

PROTEST IN CARO JUNE 28th--MORE DETAILS

Michigan Atheists will be organizing at noon at the Anonka Witch Museum at 119 N State Street in Caro. We will begin our day with a tour of Anonka's museum, in protest of the local boycott against her business (please bring $11.00 for admission).
After the tour, we will take to the streets with protest signs. According to the Caro Police Department, there is no specific ordinance concerning protests, demonstrations, or peaceful assembly. The only ordinance that will apply is that we may not block sidewalks.
Following our demonstration, we will meet again at Anonka's place of business for a meal, which Anonka has generously offered to supply.
The following are directions from various parts of Michigan:

FROM METRO DETROIT:

Take I-75 to M-24 (Exit 81, Lapeer). Merge onto M-24 North. Follow M-24 North to E Frank St. Turn left onto E Frank St. Take a sharp right onto N State St/M-81. (The drive is a little less than two hours from Southfield.)

FROM GRAND RAPIDS

Take I-96 E to the I-69 E/US-27 N exit (exit 89). Merge onto I-69 N (I-69 E becomes I-69 N). Take the M-24 exit, exit 155, toward Lapeer/Pontiac. Turn left onto M-24 N (Lapeer Rd). Follow M-24 to E Frank St. Turn left onto E Frank St, then take a sharp right on N State St. (The drive is 3 hours from downtown Grand Rapids).


If you need directions from your residence, please use your preferred Internet map provider.

For any questions, please contact protest organizer, Greg Reich, at MIAtheistNews@aol.com or 248-352-2092, or Arlene-Marie, American Atheists State Director for Michigan, at amarie@atheists.org or at 313-388-9594.

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Michigan Atheists Newsletter
Special Edition
Greg Reich, Editor
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June 27, 2003

Please visit our website at http://www.michiganatheists.org for other updates!

PRESS TAKES NOTICE OF JUNE 28 CARO PROTEST

Today, Channel 5 News out of Saginaw spent the day in Caro, talking with Anonka, her daughter Tamara, and other townsfolk about Saturday's protest. The story aired on the 6:00pm news.
A reporter from the station called Greg Reich, the protest organizer, expressing interest in the story, and stating the station's intention of being present for the event.
Unprecedented preliminary support has been pouring through in the form of e-mail and telephone calls to both Arlene-Marie, American Atheists State Director for Michigan, and Greg Reich. The number of attendees could rival that of the November 2002 State Convention.

CORRECTION TO THE LAST ISSUE

In the previous edition of this newsletter, the directions from Grand Rapids stated that I-69 E becomes I 69 N. I-69 N actually becomes I-69 E. Please make a note of it if you are driving from Grand Rapids.