From disc Tue Nov 29 06:42:37 1994 Subject: FOLLOWUP: Miss. Murders Submitted by: Richard Brown Dear Friends, I spoke with April Richards this evening, November 28. GL Friendly is tired, frightened and in need of support. They haven't slept in several days. Their resources are very limited. But they are strong and determined. I asked her why she didn't get out of harm's way, given that police are apparently following them everywhere and there are daily multiple threats of death. "How can I leave and then expect that any gay person should stay in their home state under such conditions? Yes, we are afraid, but we're here and we're not leaving. It's worth the fight." Asked why she felt they were not getting any protection, she said that the authorities have said there is no proof. They are in need of an answering machine which will tape messages and phone calls silently and they need a video camera to document the harassment. The need for both these items is urgent. They are also terribly short of funds and in need of contributions for basics. No major media attention has yet been focused on the area, according to Richards. Such attention might serve as a shield to protect their lives. Richards has filed for protection as a civil rights worker, but has had no response to the request so far. Federal law protects civil rights workers in danger. In the past month, major efforts have been launched to convince the U.S. Dept. of Justice to intervene in the matter, but no help has, at present, been assigned. GL Friendly stands alone in Mississippi and in need of our community's support. For the Attorney General's office we have: Voice: 202-514-2000 Fax: 202-514-4371 plus snail mail: Justice ------- Attorney General Janet Reno Department of Justice 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 We will shortly have other addresses and fax numbers for distribution. Deborah Taylor's group has provided the address for contributions in her post: April Richards, President > G.L. Friendly > 311 Caillavet Street > Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 > > G.L. Friendly's telephone number is 601-435-2398. Let's move to see to it that the two murders do not become more. Richard Brown ribrown@strauss.udel.edu ============= I do not speak for the Univ. of Delaware