PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2002

2nd Anniversary of Backstreet Cafe Shootings

CONTACT: John Goodhart Sr., Spokesperson 540-483-7224

CHOOSING NOT TO FORGET is once again the theme for this, the 2nd Anniversary
of the Backstreet Cafe shootings that claimed the life of Danny Overstreet
and wounded six others. On Friday night, September 20th, at 8:00 PM, members
of Roanoke7 and others will gather outside the club to begin a weekend of
remembrance for hate crime victims across the US. Candles will be lit to
burn throughout the weekend. The public is invited to attend.

On Sunday evening, September 22nd, a memorial service will be conducted
at 7:00 PM outside Backstreet. We encourage all within the community to
show solidarity by participating in the memorial. The service will include
music, speakers, and a touching tribute to Danny Overstreet and the six
survivors of the shootings. We're asking everyone to being a candle.

"While we have made significant strides in educating the community since
the shootings, more must be done and specifically, the general public needs
to come to terms with the issue of hate-based violence," according to Eddie
Ratliff, Executive Director of Roanoke7. Hate crimes continue throughout
the country with one of the most shocking examples being two transgendered
teenagers recently gunned down while sitting in their car in Washington,
DC. According to reports, a vehicle pulled up next to their car and sprayed
it with bullets. Both victims died. Scott Reslier, a California actor was
burned to death earlier this year. Virginia does not recognize violence
directed against gays and lesbians as hate crimes.

Immediately following the Backstreet shootings, US Senator John Warner stated
the murder of Danny Overstreet had caused him to rethink his position on
hate crime legislation. This year, the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement
Act was considered and defeated in the Senate. Senator Warner did not step
up to the plate and we still await his support. How long will Senator Warner
and Senator George Allen think about this subject while gays and lesbians
continue to be targets?

Roanoke7 will join Rev. Mel White and his national Soulforce group October
25-27th when he returns to Lynchburg to confront the Rev. Jerry Falwell
about his continued use of defamatory language that we believe contributes
to a climate of fear and discrimination directed towards gays and lesbians.
Three years ago White and Falwell met and Falwell agreed to tone down his
rhetoric. He has since blamed the September 11th tragedy on gays and lesbians
and used gays and lesbians as a scapegoat in various fundraising letters
and speeches. It is time to hold him accountable for his actions and Roanoke7,
along with Soulforce, intends to take him to task. Those interested
in joining us are asked to contact and register online at the Soulforce
web
site. More information about the return to Lynchburg may be obtained at
http://www.soulforce.org

Respectfully Submitted,
Eddie Ratliff
Roanoke7, Inc.