NOW ANSWERS THE THREE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON THE APRIL 14 "FIGHT THE RIGHT MARCH"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON, 767;
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1996: SHELLEY GOLDEN, 761

1. What makes the Fight the Right March in San Francisco worth covering?

This unprecedented, national event is already bringing together more than 650 different organizations with a common commitment to marshall their forces in this pivotal election year and for the long run.
"No matter what the issue, the constituency or the forum, wherever and whenever the right attacks one of us we will stand together and we will stand strong," said NOW President Patricia Ireland. "We've seen cops on the beat bashing immigrants, a school board banning all student clubs out of fear of lesbians and gays, Congress banning an abortion procedure for the first time since the Roe v. Wade decision and deceptively named bills and ballot measures that would ban affirmative action."

2. How large will the crowd be?

No one knows because this is the first time progressive organizations -- hundreds of women's and civil rights groups, labor unions, immigrant and welfare rights advocates, religious organizations and lesbian and gay groups -- are uniting against the right wing's attempts to roll back decades of progress.
"Call it bold political strategy, call it risky, but definitely call it historic," said Ireland. "Sunday's participants will be pioneers of political change, staking out new horizons in this decade the same way the 4,000 people who first marched on behalf of the Equal Rights Amendment did in 1977 and the 50,000 people who first rallied in support of abortion rights did in 1986."

3. Where do we go?

Drop equipment at the march step-off or final rally site, then park at The Presidio.
Press sign-in tent to cover morning stage activities and the march itself will be open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fort Mason Park, near the corner of Bay and Laguna.
A truck for credentialed photographers will drive in front of marchers on the 1.7-mile route along Bay, Laguna, Beach, Marina to the 2 p.m. rally at Crissy Field.
A second press area with camera risers, located stage right at Crissy Field, opens at 10 a.m. to credentialed camera crews for advance set up for the afternoon rally.