Live Blogging Iraq Summer DelawareTake A Stand

Well, here I am with several hundred folks at Rodney Square showing support for the Take A Stand Day program.

We started with music from Vic Sadot and Ellen Lebowitz and friends.
Wilmington Councilman Sam Prado gave some remarks following a speech from congressional candidate Jerry Northington.

Darlene Battle, representing ACORN has riled up the crowd asking Mike Castle for where he is for Delawareans and jobs , healthcare for the kids, no NCLB "stop stealing from our children to support this war".

Next up is June Eisely who is challenging our leadership to step up - where are you Castle, Biden Carper? June believes that as people living here we have to stand up against the injustice being committed in our names. Not by our mouths will we let fear silence us started a pledge for resistance. Another world is possible and we pledge to make it real.

Young DEM Vice President Reed Scott is now giving a rundown on the grim statistics that have added up since mission accomplished. "We are less safe than on 9/11. OnNovember 6th Americans voted to end this war not to escalate it. Mike Castle you are either with the people of Delaware or against us. Next election if you do not vote for us than we can no longer vote for you. Recently the president compared Iraq to Viet Nam and for once I agree with him."
There is one way these wars are different, Bush does not have a silent majority of support. "

Bernard Reilly now speaks as a veteran of Viet Nam with a son in the military. The anxiety his family shares could not compare to those whose kids were injured or did not make it home. Bernie wishes that Castle had a child fighting so that he could know what it is like. His son, a West Point graduate has seen half of his classmates leave the military. Last week Senator Warner sought a token reduction in troops but Bush rejected even that.

Next, Progressive DEM leader Rebecca Young is relating the long list of cons that defines this war. "The game is up Congressman Castle. Next month you have an opportunity to actually represent the people of Delaware by voting for a timetable. The con is over."

Neil Oleson is the Iraq Summer Delaware field organizer reminding us that we are part of a national event . From every state, Americans are gathering to make their voices heard. "The war now is Mike Castle's war. Our attention must be focused on those in congress to not allow them to "let this war grind down."

There, I got my first break to get this online while Neil thanks the volunteers who have made this event a success and a short film from the national got a showing .

Now I have my first chance to hear Chris Bullock speak and I am really looking forward to it. His introduction is one of lengthy accomplishment. The Reverend says that we are here because we have something in common, we want no more war. He calls on the president and the representative to bring the troops home. "Something is seriously wrong" when we are spending this kind of fortune, 12 billion dollars a month, on the other side of the world where the people don't even want us.
Cancer, lack of health care, lack of resources are hurting us right here where our people have no hope for the future. He is naming all of what that money could do for Delaware. We need a change in the White House and change is on the way. "We also need change here in Delaware, real leadership of the people and with your help, next year, we will make that change." Next year Mike Castle will be gone. Next year will be the election for peace, opportunity and hope.
Support the troops, end the war. Be not weary, pray and march together, no more war."