COURAGE CAMPAIGN CALLS ON BLACKWATER USA TO ABANDON BASE IN FIRE-RAVAGED SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Courage Campaign Members Rally Behind Potrero Residents Trying to Block Blackwater's Base

LOS ANGELES -- Today, the Courage Campaign called on Blackwater USA to abandon plans to build a para-military training facility in Potrero, located in East San Diego County and site of at least one fatality and some of the worst damage caused by the California wildfires.

With over 1 million people displaced, 1,418 structures destroyed, and at least 5 people confirmed dead in Southern California, Blackwater USA sent an email to its supporters today with the following subject line: "A Request for Your Support".

But, instead of asking its members to provide financial and volunteer support to Southern Californians victimized by the wildfires, Blackwater asked its supporters for public relations help:

"While we can't ask that each supporter do everything, Blackwater asks that everyone does something. Contact your lawmakers and tell them to stand by the truth... Tell the Blackwater story and encourage your representatives to seek the truth instead of reading negative propaganda and drawing the wrong conclusions."

A copy of the Blackwater USA email message is appended below.

"Erik Prince and his Blackwater cronies have hewn the fine art of Orwellian double-speak. While San Diego County burns, Blackwater is more concerned about defending its corporate image," said Rick Jacobs. "Maybe Blackwater should take this opportunity to recognize that the para-military base they want to build in East San Diego County would actually significantly increase fire danger to the people of Potrero and abandon their plans to build that base."

Blackwater's base in Potrero would be located on 824 acres of land and consist of 11 firing ranges, a helipad, an armory and an emergency vehicle operator's course covering the equivalent of 10 football fields.

The site of the proposed base is located in a box canyon, with only one way in or out.

"As we watch the Harris Fire burn across the region today, one can only imagine what might have happened if a Blackwater armory full of ammunition and explosives were located inside this box canyon," said Jacobs.

The Harris Fire exploded just as the people of Potrero were preparing for a recall election on December 11 to remove the planning group members who approved the plans for Blackwater's base. With ballots scheduled to be mailed in early November to less than 600 registered voters in this historic vote-by-mail recall, Potrero residents were preparing for an intense campaign over the next six weeks.

Meanwhile, in an email to its full list on Tuesday night, the Courage Campaign encouraged its members to send donations to the San Diego "After the Fires Fund" to help area residents get back on their feet. The Courage Campaign also asked members to rally behind the residents of Potrero as fires threaten their community. Hundreds of people from around the country have sent heartfelt personal messages to the residents of Potrero who have been battling to keep Blackwater from building a mercenary training facility in a serene rural corner of San Diego County that has been ravaged by fires.

"Now is the time for Blackwater to stand with America and say, 'We won't build a mercenery base in a dry, brushy, fire-prone landscape. We've learned our lesson.'" said Jacobs.

As the scheduled special election to recall several members of the Potrero Planning Group who voted to approve Blackwater's plans presumably approaches, the Courage Campaign is supporting local community members in recalling those individuals.

On Tuesday, October 23, the Courage Campaign asked its members to send donations to the San Diego Foundation's "After the Fires Fund" as well as messages of support to the people of Potrero. The response has been overwhelming. As the situation permits, Courage Campaign staffers intend to personally hand-deliver these messages to community leaders in Potrero.

A sampling is included below, as submitted to the following web page:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/Potrero

"I know it's asking a lot to ask you to continue to stand strong against Blackwater in the face of these devastating fires. But please, don't give up the fight. You're fighting for all Californians. I'm standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you in spirit." -Jennifer, Manteca, CA

"Our hearts are with you during this most difficult time. We admire your courage and your work in blocking Blackwater. We hope that you will be able continue your fight and hope that you will be soon recover from this devastating fire." -Inge, Blue Bell, PA

"Please know how proud your fellow citizens are of you for taking a stand for what you believe in and how much our hearts are with you during this difficult time. I hope we might be as inspirational to you as you have been to us." -Lise, San Francisco, CA

"We gave what we could today to the After the Fires Fund, because we are especially grateful to those of you who took a stand against Blackwater. We hope you will get all the support you need to return to your peaceful lives in Portrero. We will be watching." - James & Suzanne, Manhattan Beach, CA

"I watched the skies turn black and the ash cover my town of South Lake Tahoe this past June. I have friends who have lost all their personal belongings. We suffered no human casualties and I hope you all remain safe as well. Know that the fight you are waging, against nature, and then once that's passed, against a mercenary army and training ground, is supported by fellow Californians and Americans just like me. Thank you for all the work you are doing to bring the shameful efforts of the Blackwater training camp into the light in an effort to destroy it. You are my heroes." -Liz, South Lake Tahoe, CA

The Courage Campaign has also been urging Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer to join the California Democratic Party in opposing Blackwater's base in Potrero. Among the cited reasons for opposition to the base is a clear warning that Potrero is located in a "fire-prone landscape."

From the text of the petition, available at:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/StopBlackwater

"Not only will Blackwater's proposed California paramilitary base disrupt the lives of its residents, but it will also threaten the pristine natural habitat of the Round Potrero Valley, which includes part of Cleveland National Forest and is adjacent to the proposed Hauser Wilderness preserve."

"The regular detonation of firearms would be a risk both to the fire-prone landscape as well as to the wildlife that currently calls that area home, including the golden eagle and the California condor."

Over 4,000 people have signed the letter above and/or called both of the Senators. There has been no response from either office. Over 10,000 people have signed the original Courage Campaign petition against Blackwater's base.

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:

A Request for Your Support
Date:

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:49:29 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Blackwater Worldwide

Reply-To:
btw@blackwaterusa.com

A Request for Your Support

The Blackwater family is comprised of dedicated and active service providers that work vigorously to support the American nation. In this tumultuous political climate, Blackwater Worldwide has taken center stage, our services and ethics aggressively challenged with misinformation and fabrications. Letters, e-mails and calls to your elected Congressional representatives can and will create a positive impact by influencing the manner in which they gather and present information.

While we can't ask that each supporter do everything, Blackwater asks that everyone does something. Contact your lawmakers and tell them to stand by the truth. Correspondence should be polite and professional. We don't support generating negative messages. Tell the Blackwater story and encourage your representatives to seek the truth instead of reading negative propaganda and drawing the wrong conclusions.


Suggested themes:

*Cost efficiency of Blackwater -- saving the US taxpayer millions of dollars so that the US Government doesn't have to take troops from their missions or send more into harms way

*Professional population of service veterans and mature law enforcement personnel

*Sacrifice in lives lost by Blackwater saving US diplomats without one single protectee harmed

If you see a lawmaker speaking good things about Blackwater, contact their offices and let them know that they have your support. Find and contact your federal, state, and local officials by visiting www.congress.org.

Expanding our communications effort starts with you. Pass the word -- pass the truth.