Molly Ivins, Jim Hightower, Jackson Browne,
Patti Smith, Grupo Fantasma highlight
Ralph Nader's People Have the Power Rally in Austin

AUSTIN -- Town Lake's Burger Center was filled to capacity January 26 for Ralph Nader's "People Have the Power Tour," a daylong congress of social activists, environmentalists, and community leaders working for progressive social change.
The event was sponsored by Nader's organization, Democracy Rising, which seeks to unify people "in the cause of freeing American politics from the grip of corporate interests," he said. Austin was the first stop in 2002 for the nationwide tour that began last summer in Phoenix, AZ.
Among the topics on which Nader spoke were Enron's financial collapse, the protection of American jobs and local businesses, strengthening public education, environmental protection, and health care reform. A key local focus was Austin's Campaign for Clean Elections, a grassroots initiative to restore integrity to local politics and set an example for the nation.
"The purpose of these events this year is to bring people together in cities across America, which is especially critical now," said Nader, the Green Party's presidential candidate in 2002.
"Texans must work together. Civil liberties for all Americans are at risk in Congress and the Executive Branch. While we mourn the victims of the recent terrible tragedies, we will honor their memory by working together to ensure that the values of democracy, law enforcement, respect for human rights, and the protection of all innocent people prevail both at home and around the world," Nader said.
Among the artists who joined Nader in Austin were Patti Smith, Jackson Browne, and Grupo Fantasma. Texas political pundit Molly Ivins emceed the event and the outspoken and well-spoken former director of the Texas Department of Agriculture Jim Hightower offered insights on current events.
Nader's Austin visit also addressed local grassroots issues including opposition to the Longhorn Pipeline, Brackenridge Public Hospital, environmental racism, tax justice, and the effort to have the Austin Fair Election Act become part of the city charter.
About a hundred civic and environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, Green Peace, and Save Barton Creek, offered information at the rally.
For further information on the Nader tour and Democracy Rising, contact www.democracyrising.org.