For More Information:
NEA Communications: 202 822-7200

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2002

NEA Statement

Statement of the National Education Association on the Thurston County, Washington, Default Judgment

The default judgment issued on June 25, 2002 by the Thurston County, Washington, Superior Court is based on a document containing false information that was filed with the court by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation.

The document used as the basis for the court ruling claimed that an NEA attorney was personally served with the Evergreen Freedom Foundation's complaint on April 23, 2002. In fact, the complaint was not served until May 3, 2002.

NEA filed an answer to the lawsuit within the required 60-day time period. The default judgment was entered before the court received NEA's response. NEA will soon file a motion with the court to vacate the default judgment.

This action by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation is the most recent attempt to put a chokehold on the ability of the Washington Education and the National Education Association to exercise our rights to have an effective voice in education policy at the state and national levels.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.