MICHIGAN ATHEISTS STATE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
AMERICAN ATHEISTS NATIONAL CONFERENCE
MINNEAPOLIS, 2008
MARCH 20, 21, 22, 23 |
| The conference got off to a great start on Thursday with pre-registration and a rock the Night Away theme featuring Minnesota Freethought Band, The Kings of Minneapolis Rock "Kwang" and The Blue Rose Rocket Band.
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The massive lobby was filled with Atheists hugging, kissing and shaking hands with friends from around the country and making new friends.
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The next three days were filled from morning to the wee hours with speakers, book signings, movies, dinners, cocktails, and conversation -- endless conversation.
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Michigan Atheists were a hit with their display and the free evolution posters researched, designed and donated by Gus Pehur.
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We extend our 'thanks' to Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists and her team for making this outstanding event possible and look forward to next years conference when the whole scenario is repeated.
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Preregistration on Thursday evening. |
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Ellen Johnson, President, American Atheists addressing a full house. |
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Dr. Richard Dawkins signing books and visiting with a fan. |
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Dr. Richard Dawkins; John Welt, President, Free Inquiry Group, Cincinnati;
Dave Silverman, American Atheists National Spokesperson; Arlene-Marie, Michigan Atheists State Director |
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Panel members preparing for discussion: Arlene-Marie, Richard Dawkins, Eddie Tabash, Frank Zindler, Bart Meltzer,Edwin Kagin, and Dave Silverman |
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Panel discussion: Richard Dawkins, Dave Silverman (moderator) Arlene-Marie and Edwin Kagin. |
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Some Michigan Atheists attending the conference: Left to Right - Gary Fromm, Doug Brassil, Arlene-Marie, Franklin Bacon, Tracey Martin, Howard Flake, Chris McLaughin, and Dee Crowe. Photographed by George Shiffer. In total 14 Michigan Atheists enjoyed this outstanding conference. |
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| Picket the Pope 2008 |
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| Michigan Atheists counter the "National Day of Prayer" with a blood drive. Special thanks to Chris McLaughlin for organizing this first annual event. |
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| Protest at HUD |
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Michigan Atheists join Illinois Atheists to demonstrate at the Faith Based Funding Conference in Chicago, March 14, 2003 at the Hilton Hotel. A number of Bush's appointees were on hand to instruct over 2,000 religious leaders how to fill out forms to get their hands on billions of Federal dollars to build or repair churches, and provide social service programs without government supervision. |
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| Left to right Benjamin Pokorny, Frank Wayne, Maureen Steadman, Jennifer Johnson, Arlene-Marie, Michigan State Director and Sandra Van Maren, Illinois State Director. Photographer, George Shiffer, Assistant Michigan State Director present but not in photo. |
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| Protest in Caro, Michigan June 28, 2003 |
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| click on the image to the left to see pictures of this amazing event |
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| Spike Tyson, former National Director of American Atheists, is interviewed by Channel 25 television. |
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| Some of the protesters in attendance in Caro. Many more people participated; when the picture was taken several protesters had already departed. |
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| Summer Solstice Picnic June 22, 2003 |
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| Michigan Atheists get together every summer in Westland to just have fun at our picnic. Greg Reich (above, green shirt) grilled steaks and demonstrated his near-encyclopedic command of issues. Spike Tyson (left, blue hat, Vietnam veteran twice wounded, former National Director of American Atheists) brought plenty to drink and eat in the largest cooler at the picnic. Bob Brooks (top left, behind cooler) talked about his history in politics during the Goldwater era and was a valuable teacher to those of us too young to have participated in politics during that time. |
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| Protest in Lansing, Michigan March 2, 2005 |
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| Darwin Day February 19, 2006 |
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MICHIGAN ATHEISTS CELEBRATE DARWIN DAY on February 19, 2006 at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor. In 2002 Michigan Atheists joined the International Celebration of Science & Humanity - Darwin Day Project. The long term goal pf the project is to establish a global celebration of the year 2009, Darwin's 200th birthday.
We extend our appreciation to Bradley Sampeer, Michigan Atheists Darwin Day coordinator for his efforts on this event. Not pictured is George Shiffer, the photographer.
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