Press Release For Immediate Release June 27, 1994 NEW REPORT REVEALS TIES BETWEEN COBB COMMISSIONER AND RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS Group Advocates Death Penalty for Homosexuals Atlanta-June 27- A report released Tuesday morning documents alleged ties between Cobb County Commissioner Gordon Wysong and an extremist group that advocates the death penalty for homosexuals and other sexual "perversions." The report, "HIDDEN AGENDA, The Influence of Religious Extremism on the Politics of Cobb County, Georgia," was prepared by Neighbors Network, a local organization that monitors hate crime and hate groups. The report ties Commissioner Wysong as well as other prominent politicians, including Congressional candidate Bob Barr, to a radical group within the religious right known as the Christian Reconstructionist Movement (CRM). Largely unknown outside of conservative Christian circles, the report states that the movement is growing in national influence and has played a major role in supporting the Cobb Commission's controversial anti-Gay and Lesbian resolution. According to the report, the CRM advocates the abolition of secular government, to be replaced by a Christian theocratic republic. The report identifies resolution proponents Gary DeMar of Marietta and Ralph Barker of Smyrna as major leaders of the Georgia CRM, and documents their activities in support of the resolution offered by Wysong. Further, the report documents Wysong's aiding Barker and DeMar in fund-raising efforts for their publishing firm, American Vision. Neighbors Network Co-Chair for Education and Outreach Walter Reeves stated that "the Christian Reconstructionist Movement has operated in Cobb County in the manner common to hate groups. They have selected an unpopular minority and have repeatedly incited public prejudice against them in order to build their movement's influence. Their advocacy of the death penalty for Gays and Lesbians makes clear that their ultimate goal in the suppression of civil rights of gays and lesbians as a class of citizens. This is the operating definition of a hate group." A press conference to release the report is scheduled for 10 am Tuesday morning , June 28 on the Square in Marietta. ********* This release sent as a service of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/Atlanta. Internet: glaadatl@aol.com