Sunday, August 27, 2006

NO HATE IN GETTYSBURG

Floyd Cochran arrived in Gettysburg and went right to work. With three interviews under his belt, and after speaking to a crowd of over 1400 people, he sounded upbeat and ready for another day. Check out the video of an excellent interview at the battlesite: HERE.

Well, Floyd is off to Gettysburg where he will spend this week speaking to number of groups and schools in the area. Community Unity has done a fantastic job of pulling the community together in taking a stand against the Klan who is planning to rally at the Gettysburg Memorial next Saturday.

This article gives Floyd's schedule of "public" engagements. There are several others that are not open to the public. It also tells us of the other activities being held during the week and on September 2nd. We will be bringing you updates throughout the week.

TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Former supremacist to speak on civil rights


Civil rights activist's events lead up to Klan rally Sunday

By ANGIE MASON
Daily Record/Sunday News



At bottom: · Cochran's schedule · Sept. 2 events · On the web
Aug 27, 2006 — Floyd Cochran expects to be tired by the end of this week.
The former white supremacist, now a civil rights activist, will speak at several Gettysburg-area locations and schools this week before the World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan rolls into town for a protest Sunday.

Cochran was invited by the organizers of Community Unity Day, an event being held the same day as the Klan's demonstration.

Cochran will speak about his own life. He became involved with the Ku Klux Klan at age 14 and worked with the racist movement for about 20 years, he said. He was a recruiter and spokesman for the Aryan Nation at one point, his Web site says.

In 1992, he renounced his racist beliefs and began speaking out against them the following year, according to the site.

"It is just fascinating to understand the mind of how the Klan works and how the supremacists work," said the Rev. Judith Guasch, one of the organizers of Community Unity Day. Cochran is "just amazing to talk to. To hear his full presentation will be very informative and educational."

Cochran said he's been impressed with how quickly the unity event was put together.

"Any tourist in town will know that this is Gettysburg, not the folks over here in white sheets," he said.

The unity event is one of several activities planned to counter the Klan's demonstration, which leaders said was planned to protest the war in Iraq and promote white unity.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans will host speakers at the Gettysburg Battlefield Amphitheater at Pitzer's Woods on West Confederate Avenue.

Speakers will address the history of their organization and the Klan, to show "there's definitely no connection between the battle flag, the Klan and the Sons of Confederate Veterans," said James Palmisano, Pennsylvania division commander for the group.

Klan leader Gordon Young dismissed the multitude of counter events as "silly" Friday and said he's used to such activity. The demonstration is going on as planned, he said.



Reach Angie Mason at 771-2048 or amason@ydr.com.



Cochran's schedule
· 7 p.m. Monday at Fairfield Mennonite Church, Fairfield. Seating is limited.

· 7 p.m. Tuesday at Unitarian Universalists of Gettysburg, Gettysburg. Seating is limited.

· 7 p.m. Wednesday at Knott Auditorium, Mount St. Mary's University, Emmitsburg, Md.

· 7 p.m. Thursday at Christ Chapel, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg.




top

Sept. 2 events
Events taking place Sunday, Sept. 2:

· World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan demonstration, 1 p.m., lawn of the Cyclorama Center

· 37th Texas Cavalry counter protest, lawn of the Cyclorama Center

· Community Unity Day, noon to 5 p.m., Gettysburg Recreation Park

· Sons of Confederate Veterans speakers, 1 p.m., Gettysburg Battlefield Amphitheater on West Confederate Avenue

· Gettysburg College Diversity Celebration Picnic, noon to 4 p.m., Stine Lake






On the web
http://www.citizensagainsthate.com

http://www.adamsunity.org

8 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. 1400 people in just a few days? That's more than Bill White & Hal Turner have spoken to COMBINED in their lifetimes.

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  3. LOL! Yep...over 1400 the first day. As a matter of fact, when he returns he will have addressed thousands. He has 7 engagements today, alone.

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  4. I think it is pretty safe to say that Floyd will have spoken to many, many more who will hear our message than those who will hear the Klan. And that is a very good thing.

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  5. I hope Bill White ends up owning the Turner Radio Network although that isn't worth much.

    What I would like to know is if Hal still deposits his checks into his wife's bank account?

    If so, I would think that would make her legally liable also and unlike Hal, she does have assets to lose.

    Hal will lose this battle.

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  6. maybe there is a god afterall. The Gettysburg rally is going to take place right as the epicenter of Tropical Storm Ernesto is going to be over Gettysburg PA. They are calling for 3 to 5 inches of rain on Saturday.

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  7. Dear Nasty - that is what you are. Your posts are deleted because I don't like the name you have chosen or the words that you use in your posts. As long as you choose to use those I will choose to delete you.

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