Media Release
| For Immediate Release | Contact | Phone |
| July 15, 2007 | Everett Fell | 202-423-7062 |
New Jersey Citizens Perform "The Wizard of Jersey" on the State Steps in Response to Rep. Chris Smith Missing in Action
"Iraq Summer" Campaign Allows Rep. Chris Smith's Constituents to Voice Their Concern Over His Stance on the War
Trenton, NJ — Working with New Jersey Citizen Action and the NJ Coalition for Peace Action, Americans Against Escalation in Iraq will coordinate a short skit parodying The Wizard of Oz on the steps of the State House on Tuesday July 31 at noon.
The performance, entitled "The Wizard of Jersey," aims to convey the people of New Jersey's disappointment with Congressman Chris Smith's inaccessibility to the public. Congressman Chris Smith's constituents demand his rationale behind supporting the war, yet according to the Rev. Bob Moore of the NJ Coalition for Peace Action, he shows little outreach to his community
Rev. Moore has attempted to contact Congressman Smith directly, both in his Hamilton, NJ office and his one in Washington D.C., but has failed on every occasion dating back to 1989.
Presented in a colorful and amusing way, the play delivers universal messages that will resonate to all sects of people who need to remind apparition Congressmen, like Chris Smith, that the government's power is derived from the people.
"Congressman Smith has not explained to the people of New Jersey why he sides with President Bush on the war in Iraq," said Esther Garcia, New Jersey field director for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. "Smith's pro-life agenda and devout Catholic following suggests he should be opposed to this unjust war, yet as recently as last week, he voted with Bush on the issue. By channeling the voice of the majority, we believe he will sway come September when further voting takes place in Congress.
"Iraq Summer" has dispatched nearly 100 organizers to 15 states and 4 congressional districts to turn up the heat this summer on Republican members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq. The intense 10-week program is modeled on the "Freedom Summer" civil rights project.
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