ACTRESS CATES WANTS ANAMARIE FREED, GAG ORDER REPEALED

Contact: Allen Steadham, Director ISAA
Phone: (512) 371-4379
E-mail: Director@size-acceptance.org
WWW: http://www.size-acceptance.org

Date: 10/31/2000

Actress Darlene Cates (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Picket Fences, Touched By An Angel) is outraged about the treatment of Anamarie Martinez-Regino, and the gag order that was imposed by Judge Tommy Jewell. Cates, who is a mother and grandmother and plus-sized, would like the child returned to her parents immediately and for the gag order to be repealed.

“Like many people, I’m outraged over this,” Cates said. “Usually when a gag order is issued in a case like this, something’s not quite right.”

Cates is supportive of efforts by Anamarie’s family, local New Mexico human rights activists, CPS Watch and size rights organizations like the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA), which helped inform the public about this case, organize candlelight vigils and created a “virtual candlelight vigil” on its website at http://www.size-acceptance.org. Anamarie’s godmother has also created a website, http://www.freeanamarie.com

“I think a lot of people feel strongly about this and would like to help, the child belongs with her parents,” Cates said. “I’d like to see more people involved in getting to the truth of this case. We all need to be concerned when government can take our children for any reason, then forbid us any discussion with the media.”

Cates would like to see other celebrities of all sizes speak out on this matter.

“Our voices make a difference, so let’s not be quiet,” Cates said. “The officials in this case need to lift the gag order and return Anamarie now!”

ISAA has been officially recognized by the White House, President Clinton, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, the Albuquerque, New Mexico Media, Westwood One Metro Source News, the Wall Street Journal’s “Work and Family Show” radio program, National Public Radio, CNN, CBS, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, PEOPLE Magazine, GLAMOUR Magazine and Yahoo!

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