Honolulu – December 12, 2005 – Stand Up For America (SUFA) announced today that it’s helping coordinate the “Raise a Purple Finger For Freedom” project in Hawaii.

The “Raise a Purple Finger For Freedom” campaign is a nationwide, grassroots effort aimed at showing aloha and solidarity with the Iraqi people in their historic, democratic election on Thursday, December 15, 2005. (www.purplefingerforfreedom.org)

SUFA founder/president Mike Gabbard said, “Starting today through Thursday, we’re asking everyone in Hawaii to color the index finger on their right hand purple to show our support and aloha for Iraq’s fledgling democracy.” (When Iraqi citizens vote, election officials mark their index finger with purple ink to ensure that the elections are fair and that people don’t vote twice.)

Gabbard said, “This project isn’t about Democrats or Republicans or how you feel about the war in Iraq. This is about 27 million Iraqis having the opportunity to determine their future through a democratic process. We can all agree that this is good for the Iraqi people, it’s good for stability in the Middle East, and ultimately it’s good for world peace.”

Gabbard said schools, businesses, the military, churches, and other local organizations are being encouraged to get involved.

“We’re hoping every business will have an inkpad available next to their cash register so people can get a purple finger,” Gabbard said. “Also, we’re asking the public and private schools to teach a unit on this historic event. There’s a 21-page lesson plan for K-12 available online. We’re hoping everyone will visit www.standupforamerica.net to get all the local and national details on what to do. Or please give us a call at 682-0618.”

SUFA’s website, www.standupforamerica.net, has the latest updates and information on how the community can help out with the Adopt a Hero project.

Memorial Service for World Trade Center Victims
Date: October 26, 2001

Honolulu, HI—October 26, 2001--Stand Up For America, announced today that a memorial service to honor the victims and families of the September 11 World Trade Center attack will be held this Sunday, October 28 at 9:00 AM at the Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery, to coincide with a memorial service in New York City, at the World Trade Center itself. Originally, we contacted New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and offered to airlift 5000 leis—one for each of the victims, and drop them over the World Trade Center site as part of the memorial service. They communicated back to us as well as Mayor Harris’ office, who was trying to help facilitate Hawaii’s message of aloha, their great appreciation. However, because they were unable to accommodate our offer for logistical reasons, they suggested that we hold a memorial here with the flowers instead. So we are inviting the people of Hawaii to join with us this Sunday. “It would have been really nice if we could have done this,” said Stand Up for America State Chairman, Mike Gabbard. “But it would have put an unnecessary burden on Mayor Giulani and his team when they’re already overburdened as it is.” Gabbard continued, “Having the memorial service here is an important symbol of solidarity that the people of Hawaii feel with the victims and their families and all Americans over the terrorist attacks on our country.” Stand Up For America is also contacting all the churches, temples and mosques, to ask them to dedicate their morning services to the memorial as well, which many of them probably plan to do so already.

Hawaiians to go out in full force
Date: September 26, 2001

Honolulu, HI -September 26, 2001-Some Hawaii news sources published statements by a Washington state journalist yesterday criticizing Hawaii residents for their "lack of patriotism." Stand Up For America March and Rally statewide chairman, Mike Gabbard, responded to the critical remarks by calling on Hawaii residents to show the world how patriotic we are by participating in the statewide Stand Up For America marches and rallies. Gabbard said, "This coming Saturday, September 29, most everyone in the state will have the opportunity to participate in a Stand Up For America March and Rally event. It's a perfect way to prove how wrong this lady and other critics are and to show the world just how patriotic Hawaii residents really are." "Our volunteers," Gabbard said, "have been working around the clock to make this event a success. In Hilo, Kona, Maui, Lanai, Kauai, and Oahu activities are being scheduled to celebrate this historic event. We will be sending a powerful message of aloha to the world, as well as a message of patriotism and pride in our country."