8/21/2008 - MEDIA ADVISORY: ME Dems to Hold 'Stop the Lies' Demonstration This Morning in Portland to Fight Back Against False Ad Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008
CONTACT: REBECCA POLLARD, 772-4353 OR RPOLLARD@MAINEDEMS.ORG
Bus tour stop in Monument Square aims to prop up Susan Collins with false, offensive ads against Tom Allen
(PORTLAND, MAINE) - Today at 11:00 a.m., workers, Democrats and Mainers interested in setting the record straight on the false and offensive television ads that are being run against U.S. Representative and Senate Nominee Tom Allen and all of Maine's workers will hold a "Stop the Lies" counter-demonstration at Monument Square in Portland.
A bus tour by pro-big business groups (led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) will be holding an event at the site to drum up opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that would make it easier for workers to form unions.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and companies like Wal-Mart have spent millions in television advertising to promote candidates such as Senator Susan Collins who favor their interests over their workers' interests. They attempt to link organized labor with organized crime, and falsely misrepresent Tom Allen's consistent record of standing up for the rights of workers.
They also lie to viewers by falsely stating the bill would remove workers' right to a secret ballot. The Employee Free Choice Act, which Allen supported, would give workers an additional way to sign-up for a union, but it does not take away their right to a secret ballot. The bill actually makes it easier to organize, because current law allows time for employers to intimidate and threaten their employees to make sure they are never able to form a union at all.
Click here to see a detailed breakdown of these insulting ads.
The group will gather at the Maine Democratic Party's 305 Commercial Street office before marching to Monument Square and arriving at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
WHAT
"Stop the Lies" Counter-Demonstration
WHO
Workers, volunteers, Democrats and Mainers interested in setting the record straight and defending the rights of workers and candidates like Tom Allen who support them
WHEN
11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008
WHERE
Monument Square
Portland, Maine
