Rally for Peace in Medford

Allen Hallmark & Ivend Holen, 30.11.2009 03:40

Dear Friends of Citizens for Peace & Justice,

President Obama's expected message to the nation next Tuesday that he will escalate the war in Afghanistan by sending tens of thousands more US troops there has had one positive effect -- it has re-energized the peace movement.

For perhaps the past five years or so, CPJ has sponsored a Rally for Peace from 12 noon to 1 pm on the 4th Saturday of each month in Medford. Often, only three to six people attend these rallies for peace and to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But this month was different. On Saturday some 25 to 30 folks turned out (there was some coming and going during the hour). Check out the attached photos by Ivend Holen, who is a constant participant in almost every progressive activity in this valley.

To me that shows that President Obama is losing much of his base support of progressives on the issue of whether to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He should declare victory and bring our troops home. The trillions of dollars we are wasting on these interminable wars are so needed for health care reform, the fight against global warming and so many other domestic and international needs. If Obama would bring the troops home, I think it would secure his election to a second term and confirm he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Continuing the wars, leaves both in much doubt.

Many thanks to all who turned out yesterday. If you didn't join us this time, please consider doing so next month at 12 noon Saturday, Dec. 26th. Yes, I know it will be the day after Christmas, but you'll need some fresh air and an activity you can be proud of.

Here's a letter to the editor that I wrote a couple of weeks ago that the Mail Tribune finally published today without the promo for Saturday's Rally for Peace:


To the Editor:

Dennis DelliGatti in his letter of Nov. 19th accuses anti-war protesters who have stopped protesting since the election of President Obama of being "hypocrites, every one."

I agree that nothing has changed. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue unabated, making more enemies and creating more terrorists. These wars are destroying the lives of our troops and their families, sapping our economy and allowing offshore corporations with obscene contracts with the Pentagon to plunder our treasure while thousands of civilians in both countries are killed, maimed or forced into exile.

However, not every group has stopped protesting. Citizens for Peace & Justice holds a Rally for Peace at 12 noon on the 4th Saturday of each month (next Nov. 28th) in Vogel Plaza, corner Main and Central in downtown Medford. Don't be silent. Join us.

Allen Hallmark

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Obama is a neocon 07.12.2009 - 03:27 Greetings from the big city good to see some people at home get it! To everone else - wake up people. Obama is a faud, a neocon, a vicous killer war criminal. He is not playing 3 dimensional chess. He is not change we can believe in. He is not a peace maker. He is W without the lip.He is just another corporate thug. rosesarereddemocratsarebluemearegreen> Homepage:: http://