PDA to host Solidarity Rally for Cindy in DC w/ Yearwood and UP4Democracy

[Kevin Spidel]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Progressive Democrats to March on the White House in Support of Cindy Sheehan

Media Contact: Kimberly Krautter 877-368-9221 –or– [e-mail]

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — This morning, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and a coalition of groups dedicated to ending the war in Iraq will hold a press conference today at 10:00 a.m. in Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C. They will demand that President Bush speak to Cindy Sheehan, mother of a fallen American soldier and founder of Gold Star Families for Peace. Mrs. Sheehan is camped outside Bush's Crawford, Texas vacation home, requesting that he meet with her to explain why the US is in Iraq. The press conference and protest will be led by PDA Board Member Reverend Lennox Yearwood, president of the Hip Hop Caucus, and will include Gael Murphy of Code Pink and Laura Costas of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO). Other participating coalition members are Up For Democracy, United For Peace and Justice (UFPJ), Clergy and Laity Concerned about Iraq, and Gold Star Families for Peace.

This evening, protesters will meet in Lafayette Park at 5:30 p.m. and march to The White House in support of Cindy Sheehan and other Gold Star and military families.

"As a former Air Force officer, I think it is a tragedy and a disgrace that the President won’t talk straight with this mom about her fallen son," said Reverend Yearwood. "His refusal to talk with her is an embarrassment to our country."

Mrs. Sheehan has been affiliated with PDA since she began her personal crusade to learn the truth about why America’s sons and daughters are dying in Iraq. In June, PDA sponsored Mrs. Sheehan’s appearance in D.C. to submit congressional testimony before the Downing Street Memo hearings held by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and several members of the House. Mrs. Sheehan was also a featured speaker at an Out-of-Iraq teach-in held by PDA in D.C. that same month.

PDA is mobilizing its members and allies across the progressive political spectrum to further support Mrs. Sheehan by placing calls and emails to the White House switchboard to request that the President speak with Mrs. Sheehan.

"Cindy has a right to know why her son was sent to die in Iraq," said Tim Carpenter, PDA executive director. "The Downing Street Memo proves that Casey Sheehan was not sent to Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction, and that there was no advanced plan to create stability in the region. If the President truly cares about military families and our fallen heroes, then he needs to talk to Cindy."

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The coalition organized by PDA to support Cindy Sheehan includes:
Clergy and Laity Concerned About Iraq
Code Pink (http://www.codepink4peace.org/)
Gold Star Families for Peace (http://www.gsfp.org/)
The Hip Hop Caucus
Military Families Speak Out (http://www.mfso.org/)
United For Peace and Justice (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/)

About Progressive Democrats of America
Progressive Democrats of America is one of the fastest growing political organizations in the country. PDA is currently active in all 50 states. PDA was formed to provide a counterbalance inside the Democratic Party to the Democratic Leadership Council. PDA has a national policy board of noteworthy thought leaders who are formulating the true Progressive position on issues of national security, economic progress, shared prosperity, sustainable ecology, equality for all and a peaceful, just future. Learn more about Progressive Democrats of America by visiting: http://www.pdamerica.org.

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[dooner]

1. Kevin, you're kicking butt today... n/t

[Kevin Spidel]

2. correction... all the PDA activists are kicking butt! n/t

[dooner]

3. Good job PDA!