Progressives Gather in Washington, DC
Campaign for America's Future's "Take Back America" Conference, June 1-3, 2005
About two thousand activists from around the country gathered for what organizers described as "the largest gathering of progressive leaders since the election."  The Campaign for America's Future's "Take Back America" conference consisted of three days of speeches and workshops designed to generate "ideas and infrastructure needed to build a political majority," stated spokesman Toby Chaudhuri.  Many of the speakers also offered explanations as to why efforts to recapture the White House fell short in 2004.  Antonio Villaraigosa, recently elected mayor of Los Angeles, was warmly received.  Villaraigosa, who described himself as "unabashedly a progressive,"stated that merely presenting a "litany of issues" was not sufficient; rather, he said, activists should work to "create a common ground."  "We can't just talk at people, we have to listen too," he stated.  The conference concluded with a march against Social Security privatization.
 
Photos
SPEAKERS
Antonio Villaraigosa, incoming Mayor of Los Angeles
Gov. Howard Dean, DNC Chairman
Sen. John Edwards, One America Committee
Jim Wallis, Author of "God's Politics"
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow Push Coalition
AROUND AND ABOUT
"Family Values Matter"
MoveOn.org
Plenary Session "Wal-Mart Next Steps"
Progressive Media Row
The Backbone Campaign
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Links
Campaign for America's Future Take Back America 2005

Copyright © 2005  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action