PR RELEASE: LOS ANGELES: MPAC hosts dinner to honor actor Alec Baldwin 8-21-04

The Muslim Public Affairs Council invites you to the
2004 Media Awards
Voices of Courage and Conscience honoring actor and activist Alec Baldwin

At times, we see actors on television marching along with peace protesters. At other times, we see them on the big screen in front of millions. The single voice these artists have speaks for the rights of people both nationally and internationally and is heard by millions. Their single voice has the power to change the opinion of the masses.

In a climate where criticism is deemed unpatriotic and silenced, it is brave for public figures to speak out against decisions they believe to be unjust. What better way to amplify these voices of courage and conscience than to celebrate them?

Mr. Alec Baldwin has been a strong voice of courage, most recently in his outspoken stance on protecting civil liberties. Mr. Baldwin courageously spoke out against the climate of fear and intimidation that curbed free speech at the beginning of the Afghanistan war, saying, "when Donald Rumsfeld and the Pentagon spokespeople say to you, 'Well this is going to be a long war, we're going to be in it for the long haul,' what the euphemism means is that moratorium on criticizing the government must be extended longer and longer."

As chair and moderator of the "Grassroots America Defends the Bill of Rights" National Conference in Washington, D.C., Mr. Baldwin led efforts to urge Congress to repeal sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, and other post-9/11 policies that threatened civil liberties. As President of The Creative Coalition, Mr. Baldwin led a coalition of artists and entertainers in advocating for better policies on social and political issues, especially those surrounding First Amendment protections. MPAC honors Mr. Baldwin for maintaining such strong positions on civil liberties at a time when critics and dissenters were labeled unpatriotic. In its 13th year, the MPAC Media Awards recognizes "Voices of Courage and Conscience."

This year's awards will take place at:

Millennium Biltmore Hotel
August 21, 2004
7:00pm.

For reservations, call MPAC at (213) 383-3443 by August 13.
Tickets will not be sold at the door.
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