News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:Thursday, July 11, 1996
Contact:Tom Brannan, Assistant City Manager, (703) 838-4300; George H. Lambert, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Northern Virginia Urban League, (703) 836-2858

Alexandria Prayer Vigil on July 16 to Condemn the Burning of Churches
Religious and government leaders from the City of Alexandria
will speak out on the rash of recent church burnings in the South
at an interfaith prayer vigil at noon on Tuesday, July 16, at
Market Square, 301 King Street in Old Town.

Led by Alexandria Mayor Kerry J. Donley, City Council
Members, City Manager Vola Lawson, and religious leaders from
throughout the city, the vigil will include remarks by Alexandria
clergy, leaders of the Alexandria Branch NAACP, and the Northern
Virginia Urban League. The event was organized by George H.
Lambert, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Northern Virginia Urban
League, and endorsed by Reverend John O. Peterson of the Alfred
Street Baptist Church.

In a letter sent earlier this week to religious leaders,
Mayor Donley joined Mr. Lambert in encouraging members of local
churches and synagogues to attend the vigil.

"We will come together on that day to speak out for
religious freedom and the important contributions that our
churches and synagogues make to the quality of life in our
community. I encourage every church, every synagogue, every
place of worship in our City to participate in this vigil," said
Mayor Donley.

Although there have been no instances of arson against
churches in Alexandria, City officials are looking to minimize
any such threats. As a precaution, City Manager Vola Lawson has
requested the City's Fire Chief and Police Chief to develop a
joint task force to assist religious and lay leaders with advice
on issues related to the safety of the houses of worship in the
City of Alexandria. The Task Force has been established and a
special telephone number (548-6257) has been activated to receive
calls from Alexandria churches, synagogues and other places of
worship that wish assistance.


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