Updates

This file consists of stuff that came in after the deadline for the current issue of Fair Play.

COPA Memphis Meeting Update

Three Decades of Doubt: MLK Murder

Washington, DC --- The Coalition on Political Assassinations (COPA) will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by holding a regional meeting of ballistic, forensic and medical experts, academics, researchers and authors in Memphis, Tennessee from April 3-5, 1998, at the Comfort Inn Downtown (100 N. Front Street). Events include a forum on the evening of Friday, April 3 at 7:00 PM at the Centenary Untied Methodist Church, 584 East McLemore hosted by Dr. William Pepper, Esq. and Rev. James Lawson, both former associates of Dr. King. "A Witness to the Truth: Eyewitness Accounts of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 30-Year Cover-up in the Case," co-sponsored by COPA and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, will feature speakers who have never been heard in court or official investigations into the case, including Earl Caldwell, Glenda Grabow and John McFerren. On the evening of Saturday, April 4, COPA will present a panel of researchers discussing the political assassinations of 1968, including:

James Lesar, Esq., director of the Assassination Archives and Research Center; Wayne Chastain, Esq., attorney for James Earl Ray; Wallace Milam, researcher; Philip Melanson, Ph.D., author of several works on MLK and . murders; Dick Gregory, author of Murder in Memphis; Rev. Mike Clark, researcher; Jerry Ray, brother of James Earl Ray; Lawrence Teeter, Esq., attorney for Sirhan Sirhan.

COPA believes that serious questions remain in the assassinations of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy, that all earlier trials and investigations were flawed, and that all government records relating to these assassinations should be fully released as soon as practicable. The Coalition works closely with and supports the efforts of the JFK Assassination Records Review Board, which has released over 3 million pages of records relating to the murder of President John F. Kennedy. The Coalition supports the efforts of Dr. William Pepper, Esq. and others to secure a new trial for James Earl Ray before he dies, and the efforts of Rev. James Lawson and others to raise funds for Ray's liver transplant and to press the Tennessee prison authorities to approve his transfer to a hospital where the operation can be successfully performed. We also oppose the removal of Judge Brown from Ray's current application for a rehearing by the Court of Appeals, and demand that all previous ballistic tests results from the FBI and the House Select Committee on Assassinations be released to the public and the court determining Ray's right to re-trial.

* * *

COPA National Conference is scheduled in Dallas this year at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Square, overlooking Dealey Plaza. For reservations call (214) 651-1234. Rooms are $125 single/double, $150 triple or $175 quad for COPA. Send early bird discount registration of $150 with Hyatt reservation # for at least two nights before October 1 to qualify. Call for papers is out, respond to Walt Brown, PhD and Philip Melanson, Phd by sending abstract for review before October 1 to COPA address, fax or email. Can also send copy on disk with hard copy, 3.5 inch Mac or PC Word format.

Hope to see you there! Call our Conference Hotline for updated details, (202) 310-1858 or COPA at (202) 785-5299.

Coalition on Political Assassinations
P.O. Box 772, Washington, DC 20044
202-785-5299 / 202-584-1021 (fax)
email: copa@nicom.com
website: http://www.nicom.com/~copa
Join Now! $35 annual membership
Free the Files! Solve the Murders!
Regional Meeting Memphis, TN April 3-5
Comfort Inn (901)526-0583 discount rates for COPA
Events begin Friday, April 3 7:00 pm Centennary United Methodist Church
Registeration $50, includes 1998 membership.
National Conference Dallas, TX November 20-22
Hyatt Regency Reunion Square (214) 651-1234 discount rates for COPA
Early bird registration $150 by October 1 (if member and reserved at hotel)
Call for papers out, October 1 deadline, send c/o Walt Brown at COPA
Events start Friday morning, November 20, above Union Station (Amtrak)
Call Hotline for more information: (202)310-1858 or email us.

1998 Lancer Conference Info

JFK Lancer Productions & Publications presents the 1998 Third Annual
November In Dallas Conference, Awards Dinner and Remembrance Ceremony

OBSERVING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION

We believe a strong presence in Dallas shows that we are still searching for the truth until the case is solved. After 35 years of research 1997-1998 has brought us closer to solving this case than ever before. Please join us at this important conference.

November 19-23, 1998 The Grand Hotel Dallas, Texas

President John F. Kennedy: His Death, His Legacy

JFK Lancer continues to intensify its exploration of JFK's tragic death at this Third Annual Conference by sponsoring:

* Vital information presented by the foremost Kennedy assassination researchers and contributing experts.

* A serious and scholarly look at JFK's policies, both domestic and foreign.

SPEAKERS: (Thursday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Nov. 22)

* GEORGE MICHAEL EVICA
MARY FERRELL
VINCE PALAMARA
MORE RESEARCHERS AND JFK HISTORIANS TBA
VERY SPECIAL GUESTS TBA

OPEN WORKSHOPS* (Thursday, Nov. 20)

* Newcomers and Students
* The ARRB-Released Files
* More TBA

CALL FOR PAPERS: Assassination Research/Academic abstracts

George Michael Evica-
107 N. Beacon St., Hartford, CT 06105 phone/fax:860-523-8504
email: evica@uhavax.hartford.edu

CONFERENCE FEES:
* Adults: Workshop* $20; $125 until August; $150 until October 31st; additional late fees will apply in November.
* Students/young people 13-18 yrs: Workshop* $15; Conference $75 until August 31st; $100 until October 31st; additional late fees will apply in November.
* College Students: Workshop* $20; $85 until August; $110 until October 31st; additional late fees will apply in November.
(*Workshop fee waived if attending the entire conference.)
* Group Rates available-20 person minimum.
* Daily Rates: 13-18 and college students: $25.00; others by arrangement.
* Bus Tour: $35. each (registration in advance only) Sunday, November 22th lasting for approximately 2 hours. Narrated, informative tour of the assassination related sights.
* Awards Dinner: $20 each (registration in advance only) JFK Lancer-Mary Ferrell Awards Ceremony and Dinner, November 21st.

Contact JFK Lancer:
CALL us today: (972)264-2007
TOLL FREE Credit Card Registration (888) 259-6317
FAX us your registration form with credit card information: (972)264-2007

MAIL Completed registration form with payment to:
JFK Lancer Conference, 332 NE 5th Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
EMAIL registration form information with credit card info to:
jfklancr@flash.net

SEE OUR WEB SITE FOR UPDATES http://www.jfklancer.com/Dallas.html .

Dallas Grand Hotel
1914 Commerce Street Dallas, Texas 75201-5205
Toll free 1-800-421-0011 to reserve your room.
1-214-474-7000 direct Fax 1-214-742-1337

The Grand Hotel is offering a conference special rate of $79.00 per room (single, double, triple, or quad occupancy). Please inform reservations that you are attending the JFK Lancer conference to qualify for this rate. Register Early! Hotel space is limited.

COPA Meetings Scheduled

(From a COPA mass emailing...)

A regional conference of COPA will be held in Memphis, TN, April 3-5, staring with a major event co-sponsored by Coalition on Political Assassinations and Fellowship of Reconciliation, and co-convened by Rev. James Lawson and Dr. William Pepper, Esq., the attorney for James Earl Ray. These events commemorate the 30th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Members of the research community and interested citizens are invited to attend all events. On the night of Friday, April 3, at 7:00pm the Centenary United Methodist Church, 584 East McElemore in Memphis, will host "A Witness to the Truth: A Public Forum with Eyewitnesses to the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 30-Year Coverup in the Case," featuring witnesses John McFerren, Glenda Grabow, Earl Caldwell and others who have never appeared before a court to testify to the truth in this case. This event is free to the public. On April 4 and 5, discussion of the King murder will continue, with another speaking forum on the night of the 4th, and meetings of researchers at the Working Panels of COPA during the two-day conference. These events, and accomodations, will be at the Comfort Inn, 100 North First Street in Memphis, convenient to the trolley line that ends near the site of the assassination, the National Civil Rights Museum (formerly Lorraine Hotel). Separate commemorative events concerning Dr. King's life will be held at that location on April 4th, titled "Pilgrimage to Memphis," conducted by Rev. Kyles, Jesse Jackson and others. Comfort Inn has offered a special rate of $65 single / $69 double for COPA attendees, and they can be reached at (901) 526-0583 for reservations. Conference registration is $15 and includes all events and current 1998 membership. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Call 202-785-5299 for additional information. Hotel accomodations include parking and complimentary breakfast.

COPA is also exploring the possibility of a regional conference in Los Angeles this year, from June 5-7, marking the 30th year after the death of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Anyone in that area willing to help with arrangements and accomodations should contact COPA immediately.

Our annual National Conference will be held in Dallas, Texas this year, from November 20-22, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel which overlooks Dealey Plaza. Reduced room rates start at $125 single/double, $150 triple, and $175 quad per night for COPA attendees. Call 214-651-1234 for reservations soon. Conference events will take place above nearby Union Station, connected to the hotel by an underground walkway. Dealey Plaza is just moments away from the front door of the station on Houston Street. Early bird registrants who also reserve at the hotel for at least two nights qualify for a discount registration rate of $150 until October 1, so please let us know soon. After that date conference rates will increase. Events include featured speakers, panel presentations, awards dinner, working panels and events on the Grassy Knoll from 12-1 pm November 22. This conference marks the 35th anniversary of the still unsolved assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the final year of the JFK Records Review Board's work. Anyone interested in the latest scientific and historical information on the JFK murder, based on newly released files and documents, should be there. A Call for Papers has been issued, and those interested in presenting should send either a full article, or an abstract (up to 500 words) for peer review by Program co-Chairs Philip Melanson, PhD and Walt Brown, PhD c/o COPA, P.O. Box772, Washington, DC 20044 before October 1. Confirmed speakers to date include Dr. Cyril Wecht, Dr. Gary Aguilar, Philip Melanson, PhD, Josiah Thompson, PhD, Peter Dale Scott, PhD, Jim DiEugenio and others. Travel discounts on Amtrak and American Airlines are being arranged currently. Contact COPA's conference hotline for updated details (202) 310-1858, or call (202) 785-5299. Hope to see you there!

Coalition on Political Assassinations
P.O. Box 772, Washington, DC 20044
202-785-5299 / 202-584-1021 (fax)
email: copa@nicom.com
website: http://www.nicom.com/~copa

Return to Main Page

* * *