MORE THAN 1000 RALLY FOR PEACE IN EUGENE

At the largest Peace rally in Eugene since the Vietnam war, more than a thousand marchers paraded through downtown on Saturday, then gathered for an hour-long presentation on the steps of the Federal Building. 

Master of Ceremonies Marion Malcolm led the event, which included half a dozen speakers, peace songs and a letter from Oregon Congressman Peter Defazio. "it is time, no it is past time," wrote Defazio, "for our young men and women to come home from this war."

For more than an hour, the audience applauded and chanted as speaker after speaker denounced the war in Iraq.  The speaking roster included Brian Bogart, Tim Jones, Carmen Urbina, Dan Goldrich, and Dean Mordhurst.  The only time when the enthusiastic crowd fell silent was when Malcolm asked them to pause, "For a moment of silence, to remember those who have been injured and lost their lives in this war."

The rally in Eugene was mirrored in more than a hundred cities and towns across the nation, with the largest event being held in Washington, D.C.  At one point, Peace marchers surrounded the White House.

The event was cosponsored by Democratic Party of Lane County, Eugene PeaceWorks, Friendly Neighbors for Peace, Justice Not War Coalition, Lane County Democracy for America, Progressive Responses, a program of CALC
Camp U.S. Strike for Peace, and WAND.

Watch the Video! Entire Rally, approximately 1 hour  (Windows Media 256K, broadband connection required.)

Special thanks to DPLC PCP Dean Mordhurst, who championed the DPLC's participation in this event.