10-03-05, 8:34 am
From a statement by Latinos for Peace:
Washington DC Sept 24 Rally and Sept 26 Lobby Day
On September 24 over 500,000 people demonstrated against the war in Iraq throuhout our nation, 300,000 and more in Washington DC and tens of thousands in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In Washington DC Latinos For Peace signers Dolores Huerta of the United Farmworkers Union, Fernando Suarez Del Solar of Gold Star Families For Peace, and Nativo Lopez of the Mexican America Political Associatiion spoke. Our campaign was represented on the stage of the San Francisco and Los Angeles rallies as well.
We were also officially part of the overall events distributing information and gathering signatures. We made contact with groups and activists from over 25 states, citizens, immigrants, young and old, from all over the country and our different Latino groups
On Monday September 26 we participated in the peace movement lobby day at the capitol. We met with Rep Raul Grijalva who said he would work to help build our campaign. We spoke to the staff of Rep Luis Gutierrez and Rep. Xavier Becerra who were supportive of our efforts. We also spoke to the staff of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the district staff of Rep Grace Napolitano the current caucus chair. The caucus staffer told us we needed more signers, more leaders and organizations on our lists in many states to have real impact. The staffer for Napolitano indicated our call for bringing the troops home now was not responsible as they (the caucus) were advised a 'bloodbath' would ensue. We assured them we would continue building our campaign and remain in contact with them. We also went to all the offices of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and presented them with our petition, contact information, and asked that the representatives to sign our petition.
We also participated in other delegations to Congressional and Senate representatives, the peace movement coordinators included us in the official group presentations as an important part of the overall effort.
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