Whistleblowers from across the country will convene on Capitol Hill for their 8th Annual Conference originally known as Washington Whistleblower's Week. Code Pink joins Pacifica Radio in support of the Whistleblower Summit for Civil and Human Rights, which will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Whistleblower Protection Act and commemorate National Whistleblower Appreciation Day-sponsored by Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley

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Over the last eight years members from the Make it Safe Coalition (MISC) have arranged an assembly of whistleblowers in Washington, DC each year for an annual conference originally known as Washington Whistleblower's Week. ACORN 8 (www.ACORN8.com) will host and the Brown Center for Public Policy (www.Whistlewatch.org) will co-host this year's Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights on July 28-31, 2014. Code Pink (www.codepink.org) and the Black Law Student Association at Georgetown University Law Center will join us in support of whistleblowers and whistleblower protections this year.

We are proud to announce that corporate / business sector champions will be included as Pillar Award recipients this year. Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Ronald Wyden (D-OR) were honored with a Pillar Human Rights Award for International Person's of Conscience last year. We also recognized broadcasters/journalists with previous Pillar Awards; Rob Kall was recognized for OpEd News (New Media category) and a posthumous award went to Ambrose Lane (Broadcaster). The Pillar is awarded to notable civil and human rights champions; previous recipients include Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO).

"There is no freedom of the press without news sources. There can be no congressional oversight without government informants. Whistleblowers are the Fifth Estate protecting freedom and liberty from government overreach and corporate abuses." --Michael McCray

Founded over 60 years ago to support Free Speech and First Amendment Rights, the Pacifica Foundation (www.pacifica.org) has fought for and vigorously defended these rights all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. A staunch supporter of unfettered free speech, the Pacifica National Board voted unanimously to support legislation that would protect Whistleblowers and Free Speech in 2010.

Consequently, the Pacifica Radio Network was the first national media organization to formalize its support for Whistleblowers. Once again, as in previous years, the Pacifica Foundation will actively participate and support this years Whistleblower Summit in Washington, DC. The conference theme this year is--Is It Right?

"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but we must take it because our conscience tells us that it is right." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I am so excited about co-hosting the Whistleblower Summit this year. We will discuss state of international whistleblower protections and the state of whistleblower protections in the U.S."--Evelynn Brown, J.D., LL.M the Chief Executive Officer for the Brown Center for Public Policy a 501(c)3 nonprofit, public benefit corporation.

The public and all whistleblowers and their advocates, as well as the entire civil rights community are invited to participate, from Black Farmers and USDA employees who report "pink slim" in our food supply, to NSA whistleblowers reporting domestic surveillance on the American people. The Government Accountability Project (GAP), the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) and the Pacifica Foundation will continue their support of whistleblowers and this event. Gloria Minott, Public Affairs Director for WPFW will moderate this year's event. The Whistleblower Summit will include workshops and panel discussions;

Celebrating National Whistleblower Appreciation Day

Commemorating the 25^th Anniversary of the Passage of the Whistleblower Protection Act

Cooking The Books at the Veteran's Affairs Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Judicial Misconduct and Cyber Insecurity in the Age of Edward Snowden

POGO Report on Professional Misconduct and Ethics Violation at the Justice Department (US Attorney's Office)

Fixing the WPEA: Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act--"All Circuits Review, MSPB Summary Judgment Authority"

Decriminalizing Whistleblowing: Enhancing Whistleblower Protections through Prosecutorial Reform

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Office of Special Counsel--Landmark Memorandum of Understanding

Spooks Like Us--Protecting National Surveillance Whistleblowers

Is the No FEAR Act a Success or Failure in Curbing Government Wrongdoing and Abuse... Is it time of No FEAR II?

The event will open with a Whistleblower Assembly at the Stewart R. Mott House on Capitol Hill including a symbolic "Empty Chair" welcome honoring courageous whistleblowers who cannot be present due to retaliatory imprisonment, untimely death or increased prosecution under the Obama Administration. The conference will also feature a Whistleblower Book Signing and Film Screening at Busboys & Poets on July 29, 2014 (3:00--7:00 PM).

Invited Authors:

James Holzrichter, A Just Cause--A Story of Courage, Hope & The Integrity of the American Dream

Michael McCray, ACORN 8: Race, Power & Politics--Memoirs of an ACORN Whistleblower.

Tom Devine, The Whistleblowers Survival Guide--A Handbook for Committing the Truth.

Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, No FEAR--A Whistleblower's Triumph over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA

Eyal Press, Beautiful Souls--Saying No, Breaking Ranks, and Heeding the Voice of Conscience in Dark Times.

Jesselyn Raddick, Traitor--The Whistleblower and the American Taliban.

Stephen Kohn, The Whistleblower's Handbook--A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What's Right and Protecting Yourself.

Don Soeken--Don't Kill The Whistleblower.

Mike Volpe--The Definitive Dossier on PTSD in Whistleblowers.

This event is open to the public. For additional information visit (www.WhistleblowerSummit.com) or (www.acorn8.com) Additional venues and events: To Be Announced at a later date.

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The MISC is as assortment of various public interest/advocacy groups including the Government Accountability Project, International Association of Whistleblowers, American Federation of Government Employees, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Project On Government Oversight, No FEAR Coalition, Union of Concerned Scientists, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Voices for Corporate Responsibility, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters; which focus on significant areas of public concern and individual rights, such as First Amendment, federal workforce, medical safety, national security, judicial reform, etc.

Authors Website: http://www.WhistleBlowerSummit.com

Authors Bio:

Michael McCray is a public interest advocate who combats racism and corruption in the government and other institutions which deprive individuals of their basic civil rights, human rights and constitutional liberties. McCray is co-chair of the International Association of Whistleblowers (IAW), and a National Board Member for Federally Employed Women Legal Education Fund (FEW/LEF). McCray is the Author of ACORN 8: RACE, POWER & POLITICS--Memoirs of an ACORN Whistleblower; and he also hosts "The Fifth Estate" on Pacifica Radio, the only show made by whistleblowers--about whistleblowers.