MEDIA ADVISORY

October 12, 2016

Safe vaccines now! Friday protest and town hall meeting
highlight links between autism, tainted vaccines and children

WHO, WHAT & WHEN: Nation of Islam Student Minister Tony Muhammad, who is on a national speaking tour, families and producers of a movie raising concerns about vaccine safety and links between autism and unsafe vaccines will hold a Friday morning protest outside CDC headquarters in Atlanta. An evening town hall meeting that will include the participation of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam and close a day focused on this important topic.

The protest begins at 7 a.m. EST and will end with an 11 a.m. EST press conference. Families of different racial and ethnic groups whose children have suffered from autism and believe their plight is linked to unsafe vaccines will participate. Scientists and doctors worried about the problem will also participate.

An evening town hall meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. EST, will premiere the film, “Vaxxed,” which focuses on tainted vaccines, autism and an alleged CDC cover-up of research showing links between such vaccines and autism in Black boys. Families and parents of children dealing with autism cut across racial and economic lines as loved ones struggle to get answers, action and help. Town hall participants and protestors will come from across the country. The protest and town hall meeting will include those associated with the movie “Vaxxed,” including Dr. Timothy Wakefield; Dr. Brian Hooker; and Del Bigtree, executive producer of the film and an investigative journalist. Robert F. Kennedy, who has been active in the vaccine safety movement, will be Skyped into the town hall. The documentary will be shown at the Sheraton Hotel, located downtown at 165 Courtland St., NE.

Min. Tony Muhammad, some families, Vaxxed cast members and scientists are available for pre-press conference and post-press conference interviews and throughout the Oct. 14 weekend. A summit on vaccine safety and autism was held earlier this year in Atlanta and drew rapper T.I., who wanted to learn more about the issue.

Dr. William Thompson, a CDC whistleblower, has charged the agency with dumping studies showing how vaccines containing mercury have had a disproportionate negative impact on Black males and increased cases of autism. He and vaccine safety advocates have called for a federal subpoena to bring him before Congress to testify about his experience. “Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe” details the findings of whistleblower Thompson.

WHERE: Morning protest and press conference will be held at CDC headquarters, 1600 Clifton Rd. in Atlanta. Town hall meeting and film screening will be held at the Sheraton Atlanta Downtown Atlanta, 165 Courtland St., NE, at 7 p.m. EST. Access for the media will begin at 6 p.m. EST. Please confirm participation by calling or texting 312 480 9775, or via email.

WHY: Autism and vaccine safety were among concerns discussed at last year’s Justice Or Else! 20th anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. The 2016 protest and town hall meeting are follow-ups and part of this year’s Million Man March commemoration in Atlanta. The weekend culminates with an address by Min. Farrakhan at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. EST.