NOW PRESIDENT PATRICIA IRELAND TO ANNOUNCE CALIFORNIA AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CAMPAIGN

Ireland will discuss protecting affirmative action programs, NOW's Equality Countdown Campaign to fight the California ballot measure to repeal affirmative action and the "Fight the Right" march and rally set for April 14, 1996, in San Francisco. As part of NOW's ongoing effort to end violence against women, Ireland will participate in the Long Beach Take Back the Night Rally and March on Saturday.

"We have been working for months in California, planning and organizing across the state to get the truth out about affirmative action," Ireland said. "In reality, most people DO support affirmative action programs when they are presented with the truth instead of being fed misleading, politically manipulated anti-affirmative action propaganda. Women's jobs are on the line, our families' futures are on the line, and we will be heard -- in California and across the country."

Ireland's scheduled appearances include:

• Thursday, Oct. 12: 1-2 p.m., USU Multipurpose Rooms, Long Beach State University. Ireland will discuss affirmative action issues in a forum hosted by The Women's Resource Center, Associated Students, Long Beach NOW and the Office on Affirmative Action.

• Saturday, Oct. 14: 6 p.m., Take Back the Night Rally & March, Long Beach, Promenade & Amphitheatre, 1st Street and Pine Avenue. Ending domestic violence is the focus of these events hosted by Long Beach NOW.