Concerned Citizens Organize Ad Campaign
Highlighting Compassion for People of Afghanistan

January 11, 2002

Contacts: Susan Francois 503-234-1611
Ashley Eriksmoen 503-804-1827

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, OREGON, January 11, 2002 -- PDXPAX, a group of concerned citizens in Portland, Oregon, unveiled their ad campaign today highlighting compassion for the people of Afghanistan.

The ads feature a photograph of Afghan children by local photographer Ebrahim Wahab and a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt ("When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent misery rather than to avenge it"). The ads also list the web site address for the campaign, www.pdxpax.org, which contains links to humanitarian agencies working in Afghanistan. The ads will begin to appear on local Tri-Met buses January 13th.

PDXPAX started as the idea of local artist Ashley Eriksmoen. Eriksmoen enlisted the help of Wahab, graphic designer Lance Grider, and the Peace & Justice Commission at her parish, St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in SE Portland. The St. Philip Neri Peace & Justice Commission agreed to coordinate the campaign, work with Tri-Met's ad agency, manage donations, and develop the web site.

"The ad campaign began as our response to the events of September 11th," said Susan Francois, co-chair of the St. Philip Neri Peace & Justice Commission. "We wanted to spread a message of peace and global humanity in our local community. The bus ads seemed a very effective way to do this."

The ads are being funded by donations from concerned citizens. "So far, we've raised over $2,000 for the ads," said Francois. "This is enough for the first month of the ad campaign. The donations have ranged from $5 to $350 and have come from a wide spectrum of individuals. I've been very touched by the response."

The web site, www.pdxpax.org, will continue to be up and running throughout the campaign. Donations to help pay for the ads in coming months should be sent care of the St. Philip Neri Peace & Justice Commission.