Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 18:29:26 -0800 (PST)
Nationwide Event Planned to Commemorate Tsunami Tragedy
Washington, DC � The Society for Indonesian-Americans (SIA) announced today plans to conduct a nationwide candlelight vigil commemorating the tragic event of December 26, 2004 befalling Indonesia and other South Asian countries. Simultaneous events will be held in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. on Friday, February 4. The local event will take place from 7:00 � 8:30 pm in Washington DC. at the Embassy of Indonesia located at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., between 20th and 21st street.
The program will consist of a moment of silence, several speakers, films, and photographs. Participants will be linked together via a nationwide conference call. The keynote speaker will be Ambassador Soemadi D.M Brotodiningrat. In addition, a representative from Mercy Corps will provide an update on their tsunami relief efforts on site in Aceh. Mercy Corps has been designated by SIA as the primary recipient of their donations due to their extensive on-site presence, their very low administrative costs, and their innovative activities in Indonesia, including a project, well underway, to put 1000 local people into paid jobs assisting in the cleanup and reconstructio! n efforts in Aceh.
George Tirajoh, Chairman/President of SIA, stated �The Society for Indonesian-Americans (SIA), based out of Washington, D.C., is promoting solidarity and remembrance among Indonesian-Americans and friends throughout the United States for the victims of the tsunami 40 days after the tragedy (which is a traditional time of memorialization) on February 4, 2005. We encourage all members of the community, regardless of nationality, who wish to pay their respects to attend. SIA looks to the future as Indonesian-Americans playing an important role to bridge communication, understanding, and trust between Indonesia and the U.S. �
All those wishing to attend are invited to the Embassy for the activities which begin at 7PM. In addition to the program as described above, donations of clothing and children�s toys will be welcomed.
For complete details, please visit the SIA website at www.sianews.org
About The Society of Indonesian Americans
The Society of Indonesian-Americans was founded in 2001 to �share the interest to empower the unity of Indonesian-Americans, �and to create a viable network among Indonesian-Americans in both the U.S. and Indonesia. Members of SIA encourage all Indonesian-Americans to interact with one another and respond collectively as a linkage to Indonesia and U.S. opportunities, development and awareness.� The organization differentiates itself from existing Indonesian organizations that are based on ethnicity and religion, and instead encourages a multi-cultural, mutli-ethnic, and multi-religious approach. For complete details, please visit the SIA website at www.sianews.org
Contact: George Tirajoh
Subject: Indonesian-American Group to Host Nationwide Candlelight Vigil
To: [email protected]
I noticed on your website you had posted information like, wondering if you could post and pass along the word. Many Thanks.
Rob Bullock ([email protected]).
Telephone: (202) 390-9037
E-mail: [email protected]