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Press Release
August 15, 1998

More than 2500 people came out to support the rally at the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park to protest the crimes against humanity in Indonesia. Despite a weather report of rain for Saturday, the rally was able to proceed as planned. There was small drizzle early morning. However, by 9:00 AM the rain had stopped. By 9:45 AM, the sun had broke out of the cloud. People were pouring in from all directions of the Olympic park. When the last 1000th petition form was handed out, we realized we had greatly underestimated the turn out. We had originally estimated 500 people. By the time the official program started, a huge crowd had gathered in the southwest corner of the Olympic park directly in front of the CNN building. The turn outs are more than 5 times our estimate !!

Jeannie Lin served as the MC for the rally. After a brief announcement by Jeannie Lin about the general guideline of the rally, Debbie Kosen opened the rally with a brief prayer. Wei Siong Tan gave the opening speech. He gave a summary of the atrocities and provided detail account of an 18 years old girl who were senselessly raped and her 12 years old sister who were raped and stabbed to death. He also provided several other accounts of rapes and burning. Reverend James Hyatt read the statement by Congressman Joseph Pitts condemning the atrocities in Indonesia. Daniel Fu delivered a passionate speech to end the atrocities. Nancy Qwan read a petition letter by Congresswoman Pelosi signed by 37 other congressmen and congresswomen to be sent to President Clinton. Ki-Eng Go delivered a speech outlining the fact that the raping were carried out systematically by organized groups with political motives.

Overall the rally was a great success. Major local news media were present at the scene. Organizations from all walks of life came out to support the rally. On this day August 15 1998, the people of Atlanta stood united to condemn the crimes against atrocities in Indonesia.

The following organizations are sponsors and participants of the August 15 1998 Rally at the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park Rally to protest the atrocities committed against the Chinese Indonesians. Thousands of Chinese Indonesians were tortured, killed, raped, and burnt to death in Indonesia. Young girls as young as nine years old were raped and mutilated. Collectively, we are voicing our utmost concern and strongly demand the United Nations to investigate these crimes against humanity and to bring the perpetrators to be tried at the international courts.
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