Abductions, secret files discussed by believers

Abductions by extraterrestrials, UFO sightings in Puerto Rico and conspiracies by the US government to cover it all up. Conversations inside an Atlanta hotel Sunday could have been a brainstorming session among writers for the popular television show, "The X-Files."{ext. link}

But those who attended the National UFO Conference say they're talking about fact, not science fiction.

The 32nd annual conference drew more than 300 people to the Castlegate Hotel and Conference Center, including those who say that they had contact with extraterrestrials.

"I know there is more to this world than I can imagine," said David Huggins, 52, a graphic artist who says he was abducted by aliens several times as a child in Paulding County. "Instead of thinking about the 'global village', we need to think in terms of a 'universal village'."

Huggins tells his story so he can better understand his experiences, he said. He also paints brightly colored illustrations of the insect-like aliens he says spent time with as a child.

"I don't know who they were or where they came from, but I know they exist," said Huggins, who lives in New Jersey. "I inform people what happened to me, and they can think what they think."

Huggins' seminar was titled, "My Life-long UFO Participation in Alien Genetic Experiments." Other seminars during the two-day conference included "The Psychology of UFO Experiences" and "Ending the UFO Cover-Up Through Political Action."

"We have to break down the wall of ridicule and denial built up around UFO issues," said Ed Komarek, founder of Operation Right To Know, an organization that challenges government officials to stop withholding information about extraterrestrials and UFOs.

"It's a political war, folks," said Komarek, who has marched on the steps of the White House and the Pentagon. "If you want to get the truth out you've got to write your congressman and take on political activity."

Charlie Pilcher, a 47-year-old Chamblee resident, developed an interest in UFOs about 10 years ago, while exploring his spirituality.

"The more you look into things, Stonehenge, the pyramids of Egypt, the evolution of race and cultures...there must be a sublayer of secret knowledge," he said. "You won't get to it unless you go out and dig for it."