"Let Ralph Debate!"; Performances by Patti Smith and Ben Harper Just added; Nader/LaDuke Rally at Madison Square Garden on October 13.

Entertainment Editors/Assignment Desks

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--October 10, 2000

Guests announced previously include Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Tim

Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Bill Murray, Ani DiFranco, Michael Moore 

Patti Smith and Ben Harper have been added to the list of performers scheduled to participate in a rally held by Ralph Nader, Green Party Presidential candidate, at Madison Square Garden on October 13th, at 8p.m. Smith and Harper will each perform short sets.

Already announced for the rally program is an acoustical performance by Eddie Vedder and a short set by Ani DiFranco, as well as speeches from actors/activists Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, actor/comedian Bill Murray, filmmaker Michael Moore, and other special guests.

The Madison Square Garden rally is the sixth in a series of volunteer-coordinated rallies that have drawn crowds across the country, demonstrating a groundswell of grassroots support for Nader/LaDuke. Crowds of 10-12,000 have turned out to the paid rallies in Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle and Boston demanding Nader's participation in the presidential debates.

"It mystifies me that this country will send troops to other countries in the name of preserving or achieving democracy, and yet we can't seem to find a way to give candidates like Ralph Nader a voice in our own Presidential debates," says Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. "In fact, he isn't even allowed to attend the debates," says Vedder referring to Nader being denied access to the Boston debate viewing auditorium, to which he had secured a ticket to attend.

Vedder adds, "It would seem that a true democracy would pride itself in coming up with valid forums where a third party presidential candidate like Nader could be heard. Instead, we find out that the debates are corporately funded exercises where two like-minded candidates deliver practiced answers that leave the voter once again feeling that the real issues are not being addressed."

The Nader campaign has raised more than $4 million with an average donation of under $100, and is not accepting corporate contributions or PAC money. The Nader/LaDuke ticket is on the ballot in 44 states.

Nader Campaign manager Theresa Amato said the campaign looks forward to the Madison Square Garden event as one of the highlights of the campaign so far. "We're thrilled to have the support of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and other celebrities involved in this event," she said.

Tickets to the Nader rally at Madison Square Garden are available for a suggested donation of $20 at the Madison Square Garden box office (212-465-6000), through Nader's website at www.votenader.com or www.votenader.org, (click on Super Rally) or by calling the New York Greens at 212-353-3111 or 212-254-4194. Tickets will be available by Friday afternoon, October 6th.