Laura Flanders and Congressman Major Owens
Around 75 activists gathered in Brooklyn’s Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church to help bring the troops home from Iraq. They came to hear a braod range of voices representing New York City’s diverse progressive community.
Laura Flanders of Air America’s RadioNation MC’ed the event. The first speaker was Bob Fertik of Democrats.com, and a founder of a new organization devoted to impeaching President Bush: ImpeachPAC. He discussed the evidence in support of impeachment, saying that ‘our prisons have many people in them convicted on much less evidence than that which exists to convict Bush.’
Congressman Major Owens of Brooklyn spoke of the leading role played by members of the Congressional Black Cuacus, and called on progressives to continue working for a majority of Democratic Congressmembers willing to vote nay on further funding for the war.
Jonathan Tasini gave a Senate-quality speech on the disasterous Iraq campaign, highlighting all of useful things that could be done with money now being squandered on the war.
Debra Sweet, National Coordinator of the World Can’t Wait campaign discussed the wave of anger sweeping the country because of the Bush regime’s policies. She asked people to join a demonstration outside Fox News while Bush gives his State of the Union address.
Missy Beattie spoke on behalf of Gold Star Families for Peace. She described the personality and history of her favorite nephew, who was killed in Iraq 5 months ago. She passed photographs, and asked everyone to remember that every life is precious, and be mindful of the horrible impact that a loved ones’ death has on family members. If Americans felt every death in Iraq as though it was a relative – the war would surely end.
Eddie Rosario from US Labor Against the War spoke about the war of USLAW in New York. USLAW was instrumental in getting the AFL-CIO to vote for a resolution against the war in Iraq, at the most recent national convention.
Charles Lenchner spoke last, on behalf of Progressive Democrats of America. He called on activists to show support for the Conyers’ House Resolutions calling for a select committee to investigate the pre-war intelligence fiasco, and calling for a censure of President Bush. (Only a Senator can initiate impeachment proceedings.) This Monday, Jaunary 9 is a national call-in day in support of the resolutions. For more information visit www.pdamerica.org.
New York City PDA leaders Alice Slater and Julie Finch stayed behind to speak with activists about working together in Congressional Districts, to keep up the pressure on Congress. John Korab and Adam Wolenc, coordinators of New York State PDA did a great job of getting the word out and helping to organize this event. See www.pdanewyork.org for more information.
A telling moment arrived during the Q&A session when a member of the audience asked about the upcoming 2006 elections. I asked anyone who was interested in learning more about the 2006 races and how they can get involved to raise their hands – and nearly everyone in the room raised their hands high, smiling at the show of unity.
Laura Flanders of Air America’s RadioNation MC’ed the event. The first speaker was Bob Fertik of Democrats.com, and a founder of a new organization devoted to impeaching President Bush: ImpeachPAC. He discussed the evidence in support of impeachment, saying that ‘our prisons have many people in them convicted on much less evidence than that which exists to convict Bush.’
Congressman Major Owens of Brooklyn spoke of the leading role played by members of the Congressional Black Cuacus, and called on progressives to continue working for a majority of Democratic Congressmembers willing to vote nay on further funding for the war.
Jonathan Tasini gave a Senate-quality speech on the disasterous Iraq campaign, highlighting all of useful things that could be done with money now being squandered on the war.
Debra Sweet, National Coordinator of the World Can’t Wait campaign discussed the wave of anger sweeping the country because of the Bush regime’s policies. She asked people to join a demonstration outside Fox News while Bush gives his State of the Union address.
Missy Beattie spoke on behalf of Gold Star Families for Peace. She described the personality and history of her favorite nephew, who was killed in Iraq 5 months ago. She passed photographs, and asked everyone to remember that every life is precious, and be mindful of the horrible impact that a loved ones’ death has on family members. If Americans felt every death in Iraq as though it was a relative – the war would surely end.
Eddie Rosario from US Labor Against the War spoke about the war of USLAW in New York. USLAW was instrumental in getting the AFL-CIO to vote for a resolution against the war in Iraq, at the most recent national convention.
Charles Lenchner spoke last, on behalf of Progressive Democrats of America. He called on activists to show support for the Conyers’ House Resolutions calling for a select committee to investigate the pre-war intelligence fiasco, and calling for a censure of President Bush. (Only a Senator can initiate impeachment proceedings.) This Monday, Jaunary 9 is a national call-in day in support of the resolutions. For more information visit www.pdamerica.org.
New York City PDA leaders Alice Slater and Julie Finch stayed behind to speak with activists about working together in Congressional Districts, to keep up the pressure on Congress. John Korab and Adam Wolenc, coordinators of New York State PDA did a great job of getting the word out and helping to organize this event. See www.pdanewyork.org for more information.
A telling moment arrived during the Q&A session when a member of the audience asked about the upcoming 2006 elections. I asked anyone who was interested in learning more about the 2006 races and how they can get involved to raise their hands – and nearly everyone in the room raised their hands high, smiling at the show of unity.
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