SAFE launches "Say YES to Italy" campaign
SAFE -- Saving Antiquities for Everyone (savingantiquities. org) announces the launch of the Say YES to Italy campaign to support Italy's request for renewal of bilateral agreement to restrict importation of antiquities into the US.
Jersey City, N. J. (PRWEB) August 12, 2005
With only a few weeks left until the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) decides whether to renew a bilateral agreement that protects ItalyÂ’s cultural heritage, the organization SAFE | Saving Antiquities for Everyone (savingantiquities. org) announces the launch of the Say YES to Italy campaign.
“We appeal to everyone, particularly Italian Americans, to support Italy by sending a letter using the contact information provided on the SAFE website”, says SAFE president Cindy Ho “We intend to testify in Washington and show that Americans do care about preserving global heritage with thousands of signatures to convince the State Department that the bilateral agreement must be renewed.”
The looting of archaeological sites around the world has grown dramatically in the last several decades. Artifacts dug up from the ground are fast disappearing into the multi-billion dollar black market antiquities trade.
“Ancient artifacts are the building blocks of human history. But the information they contain about how our ancestors lived can only be obtained through systematic archaeological study. When an object is looted, all of the information it contained, and its relationship to everything that surrounded it is lost forever. Looting and the illicit antiquities trade have put the world’s shared cultural heritage in serious danger,” continues Ho.
In addition to the letter writing campaign, SAFE presented Say YES to Italy at the Festa Italiana in Sacramento, California. During the Italian food and music festival, on Saturday August 6 and 7, SAFE reached out to northern CaliforniaÂ’s Italian community.
Supporters of the cause are encouraged to wear the red I Say YES to Italy wristbands to show solidarity and help raise further awareness. Available for purchase at $1, proceeds will help send delegates to Washington.
About SAFE
SAFE | Saving Antiquities for Everyone creates educational programs and media campaigns to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage worldwide. SAFE is a coalition of professionals in communications, media, and advertising working alongside experts in the academic, legal and law enforcement communities. SAFE has no political affiliations and is sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), a 501(c)(3) corporation. For more information please go to: www. savingantiquities. org.
###
