FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2014

Contact: Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK Co-founder, medea@codepink.org, 415-235-6517

Ashley Lopez, CODEPINK, AshleyLopez.codepink@gmail.com, 562-499-9808

Father's Day Fundraiser for CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou's family

Hosted by CODEPINK and FireDogLake, Friday from 7-9 pm in DC

When: June 13, 7-9:00pm

Where: CODEPINK DC House, 1241 Evarts St. NE, Washington, DC, 20018

Details: Press must rsvp to AshleyLopez.codepink@gmail.com, 562-499-9808

Washington, D.C.— John Kiriakou, who blew the whistle on CIA torture, is in prison for 30 months, and his family is $30,000 in arrears on their mortgage. To make sure the Kiriakou family save their home, CODEPINK and FireDogLake have pledged to raise $30,000 before Fathers Day. At the fundraising party at the CODEPINK DC house (1241 Evarts St, NE DC), the groups expect to reach this goal and present a check for $30,000 to the Kiriakou family (John’s sister Tina Moulis and his 3 younger children will be in attendance).

The host committee includes Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans of CODEPINK, Jane Hamsher of FireDogLake, CIA Whistleblower Ray McGovern, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, Col. Ann Wright, businessman Andy Shallal, author Phyllis Bennis and Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg.

“While our government has punished John Kiriakou for truth-telling, we honor him and will present his family with real, tangible support,” said CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin. “It is our way of paying tribute to one our favorite dads this Fathers Day.”

"I know from John and his wife Heather that losing their home was their biggest fear, and with John unable to work now that was a looming threat. The donors who have stepped up to help the Kiriakou family save their home are helping them in a way that is extremely meaningful,” said Jane Hamsher, founder of FireDogLake. “I'm honored to be part of this event and thank everyone for their generosity."

Both CODEPINK and FireDogLake think it is critical to show the public gratitude for the sacrifice that John Kiriakou and his family have made. Several hundred people contributed to the $30,000 donation that will be presented to the family on Father’s Day.

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