WASHINGTON, D.C. – As vacationers in Connecticut and Wisconsin begin the Fourth of July holiday weekend, USAction/TrueMajority.org announced it is launching a radio ad campaign thanking Senators Dodd and Feingold for opposing legislation that would grant immunity to phone companies who spied on Americans. The ad campaign is supported by USAction’s state affiliates, Connecticut Citizen Action Group and Citizen Action of Wisconsin.

Two zoned versions of the same ad thank the senators, and feature ordinary constituents from Connecticut and Wisconsin adding their comments. The ad, which will air Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4, is available to the general public by visiting http://www.truemajority.org/NoToFISA/ads.php

“While President Bush is pushing the FISA bill to get even more power to spy on Americans, Senator [Chris Dodd/Russ Feingold] is leading the fight against it,” the ad begins.

Last week, after receiving more than 29,000 emails from TrueMajority.org members, Senators Dodd and Feingold announced they would filibuster the controversial FISA legislation. Another 15,000 calls were placed by TrueMajority.org members asking their U.S. Senators to support the Dodd and Feingold effort. TrueMajority.org is the online project of USAction.

“We’re thanking Senators Dodd and Feingold because they stood up to President Bush and the powerful phone companies and said ‘enough is enough’,” said Matt Holland, TrueMajority.org online director. “Senators Dodd and Feingold understand that we don’t have to break the law to keep America safe. It doesn’t take secret surveillance to understand that the greatest threat to our liberty comes not from foreign elements but rather from those would undermine the basic principles and values that keep our nation strong.”

Sample quotes from the constituents featured in the ads include:

“I’ve got tears in my eyes because you’re standing up for justice and what’s right.”

“Your courage stands as a shining example and a reminder that America can still be the home of the brave.”

“Thank you for having the guts to stand up to this craziness that’s going on in our government.”

“I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for America. You are a true patriot.”

“Thank you for your courage and for your foresight. Thank you from an American citizen who loves this country.”

USAction and TrueMajority.org build power by uniting people locally and nationally, on-the-ground and online, to win a more just and progressive America. We create the nation's leading progressive coalitions, making democracy work by organizing issue and election campaigns to improve people's lives. Members of the media who wish to interview TrueMajority.org Online Director Matt Holland should contact David Elliot at (202) 263-4567 or 202-607-7036 (cell).