Luzern hotelsFor IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 1999

PELPHREY DEMANDS APOLOGY FROM PARK SERVICE
One Week Since Leafletting Volunteer Detained by Ranger, Bike Patrol

Sixth District Congressional candidate Gary Pelphrey has written the National Park Serviceto demand an apology for last week's detaining of a Pelphrey volunteer by a park rangerand a member of the Bike Patrol at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

"I want an immediate written apology to my campaign worker," Pelphrey said inthe letter, addressed to NPS director Robert G. Stanton with a copy sent to Stanton'ssuperior, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.

The letter continues, "I want immediate instruction to all of your park service staffin the vicinity of Georgia's Sixth District that campaign activity is not something youhave any right to regulate." The letter asks for resolution on both points byThursday, February 18. The district's special Congressional election is only five dayslater -- on Tuesday, February 23.

hotels SiguldaThe letter starts by outlining the detention of volunteer John A. La Pietra for about 20minutes on Sunday, February 7. As Gary notes, "It is frightening that anyone,particularly a government employee, would dare believe that political campaigning isinappropriate at any time, in any place, on publicly-owned land."

In the letter, Pelphrey refutes the position, taken by NPS personnel, that permits andprior approval were required to campaign in even a restricted portion of the recreationarea. "Your legal staff will inform you that the issue of campaign activity on publiclands has been well settled in Lovell vs. City of Griffin, 303 U.S. 444 (1937), etsuite."

luxury hotels in BerlinTime is running short before Election Day on February 23, but Pelphrey says he's preparedto go to court if necessary to defend his volunteer. "We shouldn't be punishingcitizens for exercising their democratic rights. Instead, we need to help people believeagain that democracy is not a spectator sport. Exercise your right to vote -- Tuesday,February 23!"

apartments accommodation Port DouglasFor more information:
John A. La Pietra, Communications Director