/R E P E A T -- Raelian Movement celebrates "World Swastika Rehabilitation
Day" on July 11th/

TORONTO, July 9 /CNW Telbec/ - The "World Swastika Rehabilitation Day (WOSRED)" initiated by Rael, the founder and leader of the International Raelian Movement, will be the occasion for many gatherings around the world. In Canada, the event will take place in Toronto and Vancouver this Sunday, July 11th.

"This ancient symbol of peace, good luck and harmony was hijacked by the Nazis, and now suffers a tarnished reputation it does not deserve, particularly in western countries where it is often shunned" said Joseph Kollar, the spokesman for the Raelian Movement in Canada. He added: "The swastika is one of the world's oldest symbols and it can be found in many religions and traditions, on all continents!"

"In North America the swastika can still be found in Native American artifacts like Navajo carpets and Apache baskets and in pre-Nazi-era items that were manufactured in the United States. For example, it was used as the shape for a lucky Coca-Cola fob back when a soft drink cost a nickel. One can even find it on the floor of the Ein Gedi synagogue in Israel!"

There exist other uses of the swastika symbol in North America, notably in Canada where this symbol can be seen on the campus of York University in Ontario. Not to mention the small community named Swastika, founded in 1908 around a mining site in Northern Ontario. What's more, during the Second World War, the provincial government had sought to change its name, but the town refused, insisting on the fact that it held its name long before the Nazis corrupted the swastika symbol.

He called to mind that "it was even used as the logo of hockey teams, in Edmonton in 1916 as well as in Windsor in 1910. In fact, until the Nazis tarnished its image, the swastika had no negative connotation. It represented only good things, including life itself."

"We hope that World Swastika Rehabilitation Day will help restore the truth about this magnificent symbol because it is an integral part of the Raelian emblem."

Joseph Kollar explains that the Raelian emblem consists of two figures: the two interlocking triangles representing infinite space, plus a center swastika that represents infinite time.

"This emblem comes from the Elohim, our extraterrestrial creators, who, thousands of years ago, scientifically created all life on Earth in laboratories, including human beings, using their perfect mastery of genetic engineering and DNA" Joseph Kollar said. "This origin explains why this emblem or parts of it can be found worldwide in most religions and cultures. It can be seen today on temples and shrines across Asia, and we want to see it rehabilitated worldwide."

He said the Raelian Movement would like everyone to feel involved in this Swastika Rehabilitation Day.

"We hope to coordinate our actions with those of world religions retaining the swastika as a sacred symbol, like The Buddhist and Hindu religions" said Mr. Kollar, noting that Raelian actions in Canada will take place in Toronto and Vancouver. Other events took place in June in Miami, Los Angeles, London, Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney and Lyon.

The event will take place on July 11th

    
    - in Vancouver B.C. at 1:00 pm, starting at the small park where Davie
      and Denman streets meet, on the north west side
    - and in Toronto at 11:30 am, starting at the corner of College and Yonge
      Street.
    

For further information: or interview, contact Sara Leha at: 1-877-793-3126; For more information, see www.rael.org and www.proswastika.org