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Over 400 PDA members and progressive stalwarts jammed the Progressive Central meeting hall in Denver on Sunday evening committed to the proposition that by working together to elect a progressive Congress and a Democratic president we can create a more harmonious, collaborative, and just world. Hosted by Mimi Kennedy, PDA's Advisory Board Chairperson, speaker after speaker evoked standing ovations and treated the audience to inspiring, informative presentations.
Representative Barbara Lee (CA), Co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and PDA Advisory Board member spoke about the critically important role PDA plays in supporting members of the CPC in their efforts to advance progressive legislation and toward ending the war in Iraq. John Nichols, Washington correspondent for the Nation magazine, spoke about the ways in which PDA "gets it," and how vital a role PDA plays in helping to inspire and influence the work of Congress. Long time peace and justice activist Tom Hayden spoke about the demands and challenges we face as we work to realize our vision of a more peaceful and equitable future. Jim Hightower, the most recent member of PDA’s Board, described PDA as a vehicle for the expression of the genuine populist and small "d" democratic nation we all desire. And James Zogby, Director of the Arab American Institute and a member of the DNC, spoke about why and how a revised and more accurate United States government view of the socio-political dynamics in the Middle East would benefit both the people of the region and the people of the world. Live music was interspersed throughout the program with songs written and sung by the talented soulful Dan Reed.
The highlight of the evening was the showing of a brief segment of Norman Solomon's brilliant documentary "War Made Easy," an expose of government deception and media spin that has dragged the United States into one war after another for over fifty years. At the end of the movie clip, Barbara Lee was shown on the screen speaking forcefully in opposition to the war in Iraq. As the house lights came up, there stood Rep. Lee in front of 400 cheering progressives, urging them on. She reminded them that though the struggle to attain peace and justice is a long and difficult one, it is far from being defeated. For the sake of humanity and the planet, it must ultimately prevail.
Energized attendees left the event inspired to advance PDA’s agenda: to elect Barack Obama and a progressive governing majority, and articulate the progressive commitment to help the Democratic Party realize its mission as a force for peace, justice, environmental stewardship, and true democracy.
Check the PDA blog to watch panels live, as they happen.
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