(Note: The following update was written by Laurie Cabot. I consider some of the information in here to be of importance to all witches and magickal people, and so I have posted this. This is NOT an endorsement of Ms. Cabot or the "Witches League for Public Awareness." - Brad Hicks, Fido 100/523.) ___________________________________________________________________________ WITCHES LEAGUE for Public Awareness c/o CROW HAVEN CORNER 125 Essex Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970 This is an official response and complaint to Warner Brothers scheduled production of the film based on John Updike's novel "THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK." The WITCHES LEAGE FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS is a newly formed international anti-defamation organization working to protect the civil rights, dignity, and public portrayal of the over six million witches and pagans in the United States and across the world. We find the context of THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK's portrayal of modern day witches inaccurate, offensive, and a violation of our Constitutionally guaranteed civil rights to practice religious freedom, free from the fear of harassment, discrimination, persecution or the incitement of the public to form adverse opinions of members of a religious group - in this case, the Witch community. In the Federal court decision EFSTATHIOU VS. RHODES April 1977, case C44.159, Judge Winston Arnow presiding, the Federal Government of the United States of America ruled that "Wicca" or "witchcraft" is a legitimate religion and entitled to protections under law afforded any other religious group in this country. The inaccurate and negative portrayal of "witches" as ruthless, bloodthirsty Satan worshippers who participate in black masses and resort to murder and violence to achieve their desires, is an infringement of our religious right and is harmful, slanderous, and malicious. Witches do not now nor ever in the history of the world, worshipped or recognized the existance of Satan or devils. They are not a part of our religious belief structure. We are a group of people who live by the principle, "Do What You Will If It Harm None." We do not harm humans or anmials, we do not provoke or initiate violence, revenge or harm of any sort or advocate such actions in others. We do not use our psychic abilities to do harm. We are not a frivolous fringe group to be made light of and ignored. There over six million witches and pagans in the United States alone, we surround you in every profession and community. We are doctors and herbologists, bank presidents and astrologers, physicists and psychics, film producers and philosophers. Our numbers are large and we are uniting in the United States and abroad to fight the incorrect and negative depiction of witches everywhere. We need the assistance of Witches and Pagans everywhere. We are asking you to become an official member of THE WITCHES LEAGUE FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS and send letters of complaint concerning THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK to the following addresses: Mr. Robert Friedman Massachusetts Film Bureau Warner Brothers Julie Wrinn 4000 Warner Boulevard 100 Cambridge Street Burbank, California 91522 Boston, Massachusetts Cohasset Office of Selectmen American Civil Liberties Union Mary Jane McArthur, Chairperson Reverend Barry Lynn 4 Highland Avenue 122 Maryland Avenue Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Washington, D.C. 20002 Accuracy in Media 1275 K Street N.W., Suite 1150 Washington, D.C. 20005 ___________________________________________________________________________ I would like to join the Witches League for Public Awareness. Enclosed is $25.00 for a one-year membership including newsletter and updates. Name ______________________________________ Address ___________________________________ City _____________________ State __________ Send to: Witches League for Public Awareness c/o CROW HAVEN CORNER 125 Essex Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970