Camp Democracy D.C. - Presser & Daily Schedule

Camp Democracy D.C. Broadens Its Focus

For Immediate Release: August 24, 2006
Online http://www.campdemocracy.org

Movements for Peace, Katrina Recovery, Immigrants' Rights, Women's Rights, Labor Rights, Environmental Sanity, Electoral Reform, and Impeachment Plan Joint Encampment in Washington

WHAT: Press conference announcing a unique approach to political change, and distributing the detailed schedule of events planned for Camp Democracy from September 5th to 20th.

WHO: Representatives of a sample of the groups participating in Camp Democracy, including these and other individuals: Kim Gandy, President of the National Organization for Women and native of New Orleans who will publish a column this day on Katrina; Ann Wright, Retired Colonel, U.S. Army, and career diplomat who resigned over Iraq War; Linda Schade, Executive Director of VotersForPeace; Edward J. Elder, National Lawyer's Guild; Kevin Zeese, Executive Director of Democracy Rising; Ellen Barfield, Board Member of Veterans for Peace; David Swanson, Washington Director of Democrats.com; Scott McLarty, Media Director of the Green Party of the United States; Garett Reppenhagen, Iraq Veteran Against the War; George Ripley, Focus on Democracy; Mike Hersh, Progressive Democrats of America; Patrick Resta, President of Delaware Valley Veterans For Peace; Linda Wiener, CODE PINK.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 29, 2006, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET, One-Year Anniversary of Katrina

WHERE: National Press Club, Murrow Room, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor - Washington, DC 20045

WHY: Because enough is enough!

For a full list of the organizations participating in Camp Democracy, please see: http://campdemocracy.org/sponsors

Kelly Dougherty, Cofounder of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said: "During the year I spent in Iraq and over a month spent along the Gulf Coast, I've seen first-hand the results of the Bush administration's policies. One of the most shocking things for me was to witness greater destruction in our own country than in war-torn Iraq. The similarities were sickening, displaced families, poverty, destruction of entire neighborhoods, and the militarization of the cities, to name a few. Every day I witness the leaders in Washington lie to the public and propagate fear, while their actions show that they don't care about the soldiers and veterans, the Iraqi people, or our own citizens along the Gulf Coast. Camp Democracy will be a place where concerned people of the United States demand accountability from the White House and continue on the path of reclaiming our democracy. We need to bring the troops home, bring the hurricane survivors home, and care for our communities."

Bob Fertik, President of Democrats.com and ImpeachPAC, said: "Last week George Bush declared Iraq had 'nothing' to do with 9/11. So why are young Americans still fighting and dying in Iraq three and a half years later? One year ago, Cindy Sheehan went to Bush's home in Crawford and launched a powerful grassroots movement to end the Iraq War. Now Cindy is bringing this movement to the home of the Republican power elite in Washington, D.C., to let them know the American people are determined to end their criminal war. Every poll shows a solid majority of Americans believe the Iraq War was a mistake. Led by Cindy Sheehan, a broad alliance of veterans, military families, and progressive activists will rouse the nation's conscience and end the Iraq War."

Glen Ford, co-founder and executive editor of BlackCommentator.com, who will speak at Camp Democracy, said: "The Katrina disaster reveals the Bush regime's depraved indifference to the lives and fortunes of African Americans in particular, and the U.S. citizenry in general. The Pirate class now in power at this late stage of capitalism is singularly focused on waging war-for-profit, at home and abroad. Its only function and purpose is self-aggrandizement."

Nick Mottern, Director of Consumers for Peace.org, who will speak at Camp Democracy, said: "Camp Democracy offers a wonderful opportunity for us to come together at an extremely dangerous time to learn from each other and to organize for more concentrated action to get the United States out of Iraq."

Lester Brown, President of the Earth Policy Institute, who will also speak at Camp Democracy, said: "As of July 2006, New Orleans, the three parishes, and the three counties in Mississippi had lost a total of 375,000 residents because of destruction from Hurricane Katrina. At least 250,000 of them have established homes elsewhere. They no longer want to face the personal trauma and financial risks associated with rising seas and more destructive storms. These evacuees are now climate refugees. History judges political leaders by whether or not they respond to the great issues of their time. For today's leaders, that issue is how to move the global economy onto an environmentally sound path."

Dave Lindorff and Barbara Olshansky, authors of "The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office," who will speak at Camp Democracy, devote one chapter to the charge of criminal negligence on the part of the president. While examples of President Bush's gross incompetence could fill a book themselves, they argue that in several instances, this incompetence has been so staggering that they rise to the level of an impeachable crime. Former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman, who was on the House Judiciary Committee that considered Nixon's impeachment, and who will also speak at Camp Democracy, argues that the failure to provide armor to US troops in Iraq, and to plan for the occupation of that country were two such cases. Lindorff and Olshansky add two more: the non-response to the Katrina tragedy, and the blatant unwillingness to do anything to respond to the looming disaster of global warming -- and the indeed active obstruction of efforts by states and other nations to take action.

Garett Reppenhagen, Iraq Veteran Against the War, said: "After my service as a Sniper in the Iraq War, I have a new appreciation for a true democracy that has leaders that represent the majority's views and stand for the opinions of the citizens of their nation. At this point in time we have an administration that fails to stand by its people. As the desires of our nation turn toward removing our military from a disastrous occupation in Iraq, our 'Decider' chooses to ignore popular request and 'Stay the Course'. Our patriotism and bravery can only be abused so far. America has become wise to the empty jargon. It is time we demand that our government acts responsibly and in the interest of its citizens. Bring the troops home now."

Lee Siu Hin, national coordinator of the National Immigrant Solidarity Network, and steering committee member of United for Peace & Justice (UFPJ), who will speak at Camp Democracy, said: "It is critical for the antiwar and immigrants rights movements to coordinate and support each other's struggle -- activists and organizers have a particular responsibility to point out the links between Katrina's impact, immigrant rights, civil liberties, labor rights and the U.S. war in Iraq because right-wing anti-immigrant forces have successfully created a 'common sense' message of links: September 11 = counterterrorism = anti-immigrants = invade/occupy Iraq/Afghanistan = tax cut = faith-based initiatives."

Mike Hersh of Progressive Democrats of America concluded: "Democracy in the United States is in peril. Camp Democracy is our best hope to reinvigorate, restore and rebuild our republic - to take back our country from those who keep abusing power. We invite the majority of Americans who demand peace, accountability, and human decency to stand with us September 5th through 21st."

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

A detailed schedule of events for September 5 – 21 will be made available at the press conference. A rough outline is posted at http://www.campdemocracy.org/schedule

It includes the following:

Locations: Sept 9-11, Mall between 3rd St. and 7th St.; Sept. 5-8, and 12-21st: between Mall, Constitution Ave, 14th St, 15th St.

September 5
Opening Day with Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out. Includes an evening panel discussion with Cindy Sheehan; Antonia Juhasz, author of "The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time"; Gael Murphy, Co-Founder of Code Pink; and Raed Jarrar, Iraq Project Director, Global Exchange.

September 6
Organizing the Progressive Agenda, with second half of day sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America. Includes events with Congress Members, discussions with Ron Zucker, Legislative Director of 2020 Vision, and Geov Parrish, longtime local and national political activist; an event with Rev. Lennox Yearwood, who will have just returned from New Orleans, and panel discussions of single-payer health care and Iraq.

September 7
Immigrants' Rights Day, Sponsored by National Immigrant Solidarity Network
Includes panels, parades, performances, debates, and a vigil.

September 8
Labor Speaks Out Day

September 9
Festival of workshops, trainings, entertainment, funded by Democracy Rising.
Includes many speakers, among them Ray McGovern, Brendan Smith, Jeremy Brecher, Bill Moyer.

September 10
Festival of workshops, trainings, entertainment.
Includes many speakers, among them Linda Schade, Eric Schwartz, Dave Lippman, John Kim, Charlie Cray.

September 11
Festival of workshops, trainings, entertainment.
Gandhi Day of Nonviolence, funded by The Best War Ever.
Includes many speakers, among them Sheldon Rampton, Gene Bolles, Diane Wilson, Lester Brown.

September 12
TBA

September 13
Verdict Day, Sponsored by the Bush Crimes Commission, which will announce its verdict and deliver it to the White House

September 14
TBA
Talk by Danny Schechter, producer of "WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception" and screening of his film.

September 15
Electoral Reform Day sponsored by Focus on Democracy
Speakers include former Senator Mike Gravel.

September 16
Peace Day sponsored by Traprock Peace Center and Consumers for Peace.

September 17
Accountability Day and Impeachment Encampment sponsored by Democrats.com.

Panel discussion with: John Nichols, author of "The Genius of Impeachment"; Marcus Raskin, member of the special staff of the National Security Council in President Kennedy’s Administration, and author of "Liberalism," and co-editor of "In Democracy's Shadow"; Elizabeth de la Vega, former federal prosecutor; Dave Lindorff, authors of "The Case for Impeachment"; Moderated by David Swanson, cofounder of AfterDowningStreet.org.

Panel discussion with: Elizabeth Holtzman, former congresswoman and co-author of "The Impeachment of George W. Bush"; Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst; Jennifer Van Bergen, author and professor; Geoff King, President of Constitution Summer; Michael Avery, president of the National Lawyers Guild; Moderated by David Waldman, who blogs as Kagro X.

Impeachment strategy meetings organized by home state / region, led by and with opening workshop by Dan DeWalt and Steve Cobble.

Screening of film "Articles of Impeachment."

September 18
Lobbying Training Day for Congressman McGovern's End the War in Iraq Act
Lobbying training led by United for Peace and Justice and Peace Action.

September 19
Lobbying Day on Capitol Hill Congressman McGovern's End the War in Iraq Act

September 20
Women for Peace Day sponsored by CODE PINK and the National Organization for Women, including history workshop led by Howard Zinn. Ending ot the Troops Home FAST.

September 21
International Day of Peace: www.declarationofpeace.org

ENDS

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