ACORN 8 and Federally Employed Women-Legal Education Fund (FEW/LEF) will co-host this year's Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights on July 29-31, 2013. The Government Accountability Project and the Pacifica Foundation will continue their support of whistleblowers and this event. Over the last seven 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.

We are proud to announce that Congressional Black Caucus Chair Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) will be honored with a Pillar Human Rights Award for International Person's of Conscience. We will also recognize journalists with Pillar Awards this year; Rob Kall will be recognized for OpEd News (New Media) and a posthumous award goes to Ambrose Lane (Journalist) and Host of "We Ourselves" on WPFW.

The Pillar is awarded to notable civil and human rights champions; p revious recipients include Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO).

The public and all whistleblowers and their advocates, as well as the entire civil rights community are invited to participate. This conference theme is Whistleblowing Affects Everyone. From Black Farmers and USDA employees who report "pink slim" in our food supply, to NSA whistleblowers reporting domestic surveillance on the American people.--Whistleblowers Protect People. Gloria Minott, Public Affairs Director for WPFW will moderate this year's event.

Founded over 60 years ago to support Free Speech and First Amendment Rights, the Pacifica Foundation 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 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 (5th and K. Street) on July 30, 2013 (6:00--10:00 PM).

Invited Authors:

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

Marcel Reid and 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 free and open to the public. To register for the Whistleblower Summit or for the latest information go to (www.acorn8.com)

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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, Public Citizen, 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.


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