Paint balls were thrown at the sign identifying the Lake Hypatia turn-off near Munford, Ala., where the Cleveland family activists have set up a “freethought advance” (not retreat). The sign was donated by master sign-maker Bill Teague.
The Cleveland land hosts the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s southern Freethought Hall and Atheists in Foxholes monument, as well as a lake, campgrounds, pavilion and shady parks. Pat and Roger Cleveland, who founded the Alabama Freethought Association, a Foundation chapter, and Melody Cleveland, open up their campgrounds every year for the annual “Glorious Forth” Independence Weekend gala.
Star Washers cleaning up the damage (from left to right) are: Cia Wallace, Victoria Driggers, Jessica Driggers (on ladder) and Wil McGriff, president of Birmingham Freethought Society (a UAB college campus group), holding the ladder.
The July 4-6 event features speakers, relaxation and a promise there will be “No preaching – no praying – no walking on water.”
Speakers include: Charleston Gazette editor-in-chief Jim Haught; Foundation musician Dan Barker and Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Benson in their “antigodville vaudeville” act ” ‘Toons ‘n Tunes”; and American Humanist Association president Mel Lipman.
Registration is $25 per FFRF member; $30 per non-FFRF member; $15 per student, with four group meals (Friday night, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, Sunday non-prayer brunch) at $8 per meal per adult, $5 per meal per child under 12. Register by June 15 (no meal orders at door; late $5 fee after June 15). Make checks payable to AFA, Attn: July 4th, PO Box 571, Talladega AL 35161.
