Michael McCray, Co-chair, International Association of Whistleblowers
Reverend Walter Fauntroy, Founder, No FEAR Institute
Marsha Coleman Adebayo, Co-chair, No FEAR Coalition
Margret Flowers, Chair, National Occupation of Washington (NOW)
The week's events are designed to highlight the contributions of whistleblowers and to promote Civil and Human Rights activism. The public interest watchdog coalitions view the week as an opportunity to build on the momentum created by OccupyEPA, Filibuster for Justice, Washington Whistleblower Week and to protect the truth-tellers who risk their careers to challenge abuses of the public trust. During the week, speakers will include some of the best-known whistleblowers and advocates in US history.
"Presidential candidates have taken notice of the movement. When in private practice as a young lawyer, Barack Obama represented coalition member Janet Chandler, contributing to a pivotal Supreme Court whistleblower victory," states Michael McCray, Co-chair of the International Association of Whistleblowers and Author of ACORN 8--Race, Power & Politics. "Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has been so harsh on these first amendment champions that many activists have decried the Obama War on Whistleblowers."
"Whistleblowing is patriotic, and the people demand protection. This must be the critical issue of this pivotal election year" declared Lawrence Lucas, President of the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees. "With the exception of a few hold-outs in the White House, everyone agrees that government accountability is a good idea. These events will help show the nation that the public demands these reforms and enthusiastically supports Congress' efforts to enact stronger whistleblower protections."
To launch this year's activities on Monday, May 20, the coalitions for will hold a series of panels beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate office building. The panels are designed to highlight congressional efforts to enhance whistleblower protections and other oversight initiatives.
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