For Immediate ReleaseMay 2, 2008
ContactPaul Murphy:
(801) 538-1892
pmurphy@utah.gov
MEDIA & POLYGAMY: TELLING THE STORYA.G. TOWN HALL WILL EXPLORE MEDIA EXPOSURE AND MORE
Polygamy and the roles of the media and government will be explored ina Town Hall Meeting in St. George. This will be the fourth Town HallMeeting concerning polygamy for Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff andArizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
“We started this discussion five years ago and this will be a good chance to reflect on where we have gone and where we need to go,” says Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.
The Attorneys General of Utah and Arizona will be joined for a panel discussion by Arizona State Representative David Lujan, Centennial Park resident Don Timpson and Utah Safety Net Coordinator Paul Murphy. The public will be invited to attend and participate.
“Previous Town Halls have all been productive, and this year’s will bean important opportunity to strengthen relations between law enforcement and the Colorado City/Hildale community,” says Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
The Town Hall Meeting will follow a half-day training session for members of polygamous communities, journalists, law enforcement officers and social service providers working with plural families. The training session has two goals:
* Help journalists seek truth and report it; minimize harm; act independently; and be held accountable.
* Help polygamists and people working with polygamists provide information in a way that is accurate, fair and minimizes harm,especially to children.
Both events are being sponsored by the Utah-Arizona Safety Net Committee, which brings together government agencies, non-profit organizations and interested individuals together to “open up communication, break down barriers and coordinate efforts to give people associated with the practice of polygamy equal access to justice, safety and services.”
What: Town Hall Meeting
When: 7:00-9:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2008
What: Media Training Session
When: 1:00-5:00 p.m, Thursday May 8, 2008
Where: Both events will be at the Dixie Center, 1835 Convention CenterDrive, St. George, Utah
More information can be found at
http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/PrRel/prmay22008.html.
Does anyone have any thoughts, questions, comments, or concerns about this?
Merrywives' Blog 
I am wondering whether anyone is interested in holding up signs or organizing a rally to be be held before the meeting. Admittedly, I won’t be there – too much time since I have a hard deadline to meet. But, perhaps many supporters could be mobilized. I will email my Arizona officials expressing my support.