Scientology - Church of Scientology Official Site

December 1, 2002

CONTACT:
Linda Simmons Hight
Media Relations Director
Church of Scientology International
6331 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6329
Phone (323) 960-3500
Fax (323) 960-3508
E-mail mediarelationsdir@scientology.net

RE: UNITING GREATER L.A. FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 2002 MULTATHLON

What is a “multathlon"?

It is like a triathlon, but bigger! A triathlon has three events. A multathlon has many events.

Multathlon = mult (many) + athlon (contests)

LOS ANGELES—December 10-14, 2002, dozens of diverse ethnic, religious and community groups unite to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To draw attention to the Declaration and its meaning for Los Angeles today, a “multathlon” (“many contests”) will start at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles December 10 and end with a concert in Hollywood five days and 250 miles later.

Participating in the Multathlon as runners or bicyclists will be County Sheriff Lee Baca leading a team from his office; individuals and teams from police and fire departments, city councils, churches and non-religious groups in every community along the multathlon route. Youth for Human Rights International, a L.A.-based organization dedicated to teaching human rights to young people, will be organizing activities specifically for children and teenagers.

After the launch at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles at 9 a.m. December 10, individuals and teams from the participating communities will run, cycle, ride horseback, rollerblade and skateboard portions of the route, with a core team of athletes covering the entire 250 miles. The athletes will stop at Olvera Street, Chinatown, Koreatown, consulates on Wilshire Boulevard, the Museum of Tolerance, houses of worship of numerous denominations, police and fire stations and schools. At each location, signatures will be collected on the Multathlon Human Rights Proclamation to show support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and uniting Greater L.A.

The five days of events culminate Saturday, December 14 with a 3 p.m. grand finale festival, multicultural parade and concert on L. Ron Hubbard Way in Hollywood near Sunset and Vermont.

The 2002 Multathlon is coordinated by the Church of Scientology International whose headquarters are in Hollywood, assisted by the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance. The event is supported by the L.A. Multathlon Advisory Committee which includes Friends of the United Nations and ethnic and religious leaders from throughout Southern California.

For more information, call (323) 661-1194 or visit humanrightsandtolerance.org

The Advisory Board:

Irving Sarnoff
Friends of the United Nations

Norma Foster
United Nations Association of USA
Pacific-Los Angeles Chapter

Rev. Leonard Jackson
First African Methodist-Episcopal Church Los Angeles

Rabbi Allen Freehling
Los Angeles Human Rights Commission

Lynsey Bartilson
Youth for Human Rights International

Susie Yellowhorse Jensen
Southern California Indian Center

Dr. Pouran Ameli
America Iranian Friendship Association

David L. Cardenas
San Gabriel Valley Council
Boy Scouts of America

Geraldine Washington
NAACP Los Angeles Chapter

Rabbi Steven Jacobs
Kol Tikrah Temple