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 Button |
Links
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Take Back America 2005
Copyright © 2005 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action