Southwest Regional Forum Continues Momentum of National Progressive Moveme

[Kevin Spidel]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2005

For more information, contact:
Colleen O'Donnell, [e-mail]

                 

PHOENIX, AZ – Following on the heels of their counter-inaugural Progressive Democratic Summit on January 21-23 in Washington, D.C., progressive activists from across the nation joined regional leaders in Phoenix this weekend. During the summit the participants discussed opportunities for alliance-building and strategies for pro-peace movements at the grassroots and local levels.

Tim Carpenter, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) explained, “This was part of an on-going effort to advance PDA’s inside/outside strategy, to continue to build and mobilize the peace movement both inside and outside the Democratic Party, and to keep the heat building in the streets to end the war and the occupation of Iraq.”

Tom Hayden, keynote speaker, outlined a plan putting pressure on pro-war Democrats to challenge the President to develop an immediate and clear exit strategy for Iraq.  Hayden said, “PDA will revitalize the anti-war sentiment of rank-and-file Democrats by demanding Congressional resistance to President Bush’s proposal for another $80 billion in taxes for an un-winnable war. It is time to bring the costs of the war home – one billion dollars each week that could go to health care or inner city jobs, for example. PDA will join forces next week in St. Louis with the nation’s largest anti-war coalition, United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), to build pressure in every Congressional District.” 

Medea Benjamin, co-founder and leader of Code Pink and Global Exchange, added, “While many of our elected officials continue to support the war in Iraq, PDA has taken the principled stand of calling for the troops to come home. We will be going out to community groups all over the country to make the connections
between the cuts in public housing, food stamps, health care and other vital services, and the continuation of an immoral, illegal un-winnable war. PDA will take the lead in saying, ‘Money for human needs, not for war and occupation.’”

PDA will continue to promote progressive caucuses across the country, such as the Arizona Democratic Progressive Caucus, which co-organized the forum this weekend with PDA. 

For more information includeing registration information visithttp://www.pdamerica.org

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[Kevin Spidel]

1. Photos of the event here...

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