Westwood Protest Group
February 19, 1978
Members of a Westwood group planning a week-long power-out protest are pictured around a wood burning stove which will be depended upon for warmth during next week’s protest.
From left, Pauline Asmus, publicity chairman; Paulette Benner, chairman; and Patty McCormac, secretary, have reported “terrific enthusiasm” in Westwood.
Their move, asking local residents to shut off electricity from Lincoln’s Birthday to Washington’s Birthday has gained nationwide attention and the group reports NBC Television News will arrange to cover the beginning of the blackout Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. Asmus says the group is expecting “90 percent participation” and says many are willing to endure a hardship to prove a point. She said media coverage has furthered their cause and given those planning the protest “the feeling their efforts have not gone down the drain.”
She admitted the shutdown will not be total. “For safety and legal reasons we can’t shut off our street lights. Schools will have to use power and we will not ask grocers to shut off their freezers,” she said. (Advocate photo).
