Rise Above Plastic Campaign

For Immediate Release/Please Forward/Post

CONTACTS:
Harold Linde (Battle in Seattle/5actions.com): halinde@gmail.com
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols (Ocean Revolution): oceanrev@mac.com

September 5, 2008

“Battle In Seattle” Opens Sept. 19

Following Film’s Successful Premiere at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions Filmmaker Stuart Townsend Joins With Five Major Non-Profit Groups To Continue the Battle for Justice, Motivating Moviegoers to Target Corporations in “5 Actions” Campaign

Nationwide – Following its successful premiere last week at the Democratic and Republican national conventions, Battle In Seattle will open theatrically in New York, Minneapolis, Seattle and San Francisco on Sept. 19, 2008 released by Redwood Palms Pictures. The film illustrates that even against incredible odds, ordinary people can powerfully change the world. In November 1999, five days rocked the world as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Seattle in protest of the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Meeting. The WTO has never been the same since. In Battle In Seattle, starring Andre "3000" Benjamin as Django the sea turtle activist, Woody Harrelson, Martin Henderson, Ray Liotta, Michelle Rodriguez, Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron among others, Writer/Director Stuart Townsend depicts the tenacious heroism of the many activists who worked to defeat the WTO.

Greenpeace, Global Exchange, Rainforest Action Network, Organic Consumers Association, and Ocean Revolution were all among the leaders of the 1999 WTO protests. These five organizations have now partnered with the filmmakers of Battle In Seattle to inspire an even larger number of people to become part of the movement for positive change, creating the "5 Actions” Campaign. After seeing the film, viewers are guided to the just launched web site, www.thebattlecontinues.com where they can make a significant difference by actually taking direct action in the five specific campaign categories.
Stuart Townsend, Battle In Seattle Writer/Director: “With the film Battle In Seattle we give audiences the chance to experience what frontline activism feels like. With our ‘5 Actions’ Campaign, we provide an opportunity for viewers to take that first step into actually becoming an activist.”

Dr. Wallace "J." Nichols, Ocean Revolution Founder: "Sea turtles became a powerful symbol in Seattle for some very good reasons. Our way of living on this planet is destroying turtles and the ocean they live in. Ocean Revolution is calling on people to Rise Above Plastic, to carefully consider their seafood choices and to help make our oceans wild again."

John Passacantando, Greenpeace USA Executive Director: "A desire to protect the Earth's last remaining endangered forests was one of the causes that inspired people to come to Seattle in 1999. Although we've won some big victories since then, corporations like Kimberly-Clark are still cutting down the world's old growth forests to turn them into tissues. We're going to keep up the peaceful struggle begun in Seattle until those forests are permanently safeguarded from Kimberly-Clark and all the others who sacrifice the Earth's natural wonders for their own profit."

Dr. Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange Co-Founder: “‘No Globalization without Representation’ was our rallying cry in Seattle. The WTO is trying to forge a new global economy but only big corporations and their government representatives have a seat at the table. They believe in putting money values above life values. We think social justice and protecting the environment are more important than corporate profits. Our Fair Trade campaign aims to do just that.”

Jennifer Krill, Rainforest Action Network Program Director: "In the U.S., we have a right to remain silent, but a responsibility to speak out and stand up for what we believe. That's what we did in Seattle, and that's what we're continuing to do with our campaigns to bring corporate America into alignment with widespread public support for environmental protection and human rights."

Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Association Executive Director: “Seattle marked the turning point from despair to hope for millions of global citizens. Organic Consumers Association continues to build upon the spirit of Seattle by empowering communities to connect health, justice and sustainability in our food system.”
As one of the world's most effective political mass actions to date, the Seattle protest successfully deflated the WTO's disturbing escalation of global power. From deforestation to food safety, women's rights to sweatshops, debt in industrializing nations to labor solidarity, the Seattle protesters represented a vast spectrum of pressing concerns that are as relevant now as in 1999.

During this pivotal election year, it is of paramount importance to make these issues a priority for Democrats and Republicans alike, reminding them what democracy looks like when put in its rightful place – in the hands of the people.

For more information visit: www.battleinseattlemovie.com and www.5actions.com
###

join the OCEAN REVOLUTION!
involve - solve - evolve
http://www.oceanrevolution.org

OCEAN REVOLUTION is a global celebration to raise consciousness, empower youth, and evolve solutions for healthy oceans. To join OCEAN REVOLUTION please visit http://www.oceanrevolution.org.

OCEAN REVOLUTION es una celebración global para levantar el sentido, autorizar la juventud, y desarrollar las soluciones para los océanos sanos. Para ingresarse en la OCEAN REVOLUTION, visite: http://www.oceanrevolution.org