John Conyers Town Hall Today

[ray of light]

Today was the first day towards taking back our government. The focus was on ending the Iraq occupation. Afterdowningstreet, the Democracy Cell Project, Code Pink, and The world can't wait have people attending local events and have asked all of us to attend and to bring people into these town halls to learn.

You can check what is happening at townhalls across this country by clicking for live blogging here:

http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/01/a_cold_morning.html#comments

or here:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org


It's not too late to participate in the next event if you couldn't make this one.

I was fortunate enough to have spoken to John Conyers today for just a quick moment before he took off. He's busy planning for the future and asked that I put the word out that all of us have the power to make a huge difference. He asked that we take over where the media has dropped the ball. He asked that we contact all the representatives to tell them what you want done. And he asked that we never give up.


So I encourage you to become an activist, too. Every day, the Democracy Cell Project lists numerous ways you can get involved. And on the sidebar of afterdowningstreet, they also list numerous activities as well. So, please join your local activist group or join the DCP and get empowered to start your own. One person is the start of the snowball....so let's get the ball rolling and create the avalanche that will take out the corrupt Republicans...k?

http://www.democracycellproject.net

[SharonRB]

1. You were there?

You should have come over and introduced yourself to the rest of us DUers after Rick made his pitch about DU. Where were you sitting? It would have been nice to meet you.

[Olney Blue]

2. Hi SharonRB-

How was the meeting?

[SharonRB]

10. Hi, Olney!

It was a great event -- about 130 people in spite of the icy roads. Conyers was wonderful as usual. It was great getting a chance to talk to him again.

[ray of light]

4. I was there. I'm not sure I remember a pitch though.

My daughter came too. And we actually got to "touch" the man. (hahahaha)

Keep in mind that the roads were icey and hazzardous. We barely got there! And so I was thrilled to see so many people there in this weather.

[SharonRB]

8. I, too, thought it was a great turnout

I was concerned when I got there that there were so few cars, but I'm glad so many people were able to get there in spite of the icy roads.

MichOtter made a pitch for DU when he asked Conyers a question from the floor near the end of the meeting. We were all at the back of the room, second table from the far right as you faced the podium. Sorry we didn't get to meet. Maybe at another event.

[ray of light]

12. I see. Yes, I had left the room at that time, so I didn't hear it.

I'm sorry as well. I too thought when I saw the parking lot that it wouldn't be filled as much. But what I noticed was that there were many late comers who showed up.


Actually, I drove what should have been an hour but instead took 2 hours to get there. So the fact that people came was truly wonderful! And btw...parts of 94 were closed completely. m14 was backed up. There was another car in a ditch at 23/94 interchange. It was a MESS!

[SharonRB]

15. I wasn't coming from as far, but what should have taken me

a half hour took me 50 minutes. I live in Huntington Woods, not far from the zoo. Luckily, my husband had already been out and he called me at 8:45 and told me to stay off of 696 -- it was icy and at a dead standstill. So, I took 10 Mile Rd. to Telegraph to 5 Mile to Farmington instead of 696 to Telegraph. I'm glad I kept going when I saw how icy it was. As long as I took my time and kept a good distance from the car in front of me, it was okay.

[ray of light]

18. I remember you now! There was someone there talking about

Huntington Woods and I remember thinking, "my sister and brother in law live there..I should see if they can join your activist group. (or visa versa)"

[undeterred]

3. There were almost 400 people at our event in Madison WI

with Veterans for Peace groups providing the leadership. I was delighted to see so many people that I'd never met or heard of- the activist depth in Madison is remarkable.

It was run as a "town hall" meeting so lots of people had a chance to speak. It seemed like everyone there was highly committed to doing whatever it takes to impeach this regime and bring our troops home alive.

The average age of the group was around probably around 55-60, so it still feels like the young people are missing from this important movement.

[ray of light]

5. Omg? Really?

Did you live blog it? OR tell us about it here! OR post your story on ADS!

[ray of light]

6. Yes, the average person was 30 plus at mine too

But my college age daughter was there and got her picture taken with J.C.

What does that tell us that the young were missing? Do they not care? Do they know? How can we reach them? We need to do this.

[SharonRB]

9. Was your daughter the one in the lacy dress with the braids?

Her mother took a photo of her and Conyers outside the room during the break when I was waiting to speak to him. He spoke to her for a few minutes -- she was 18.

You're right -- it seemed like the only young people were the LaRouche kids and maybe a few others scattered around the room.

[ray of light]

11. Yes Ma'am!!!

And she was excited too! He spoke to her about college etc...a short conversation, but nontheless, it was sweet.

[SharonRB]

13. I heard their whole conversation, as I was standing right there

I saw your wife, too, obviously. I wish I had known they were part of a "DU family" at the time.

[ray of light]

17. well, we can meet up someother time.

Especially since there WILL be lots of activities coming up. In the meatime we have some wonderful people running out there--Tripiano, Skinner, and Marcenkowski. (spelling?)

PLEASE go help them get elected.

[SharonRB]

19. Since I live in a safe district, I'd love to work on both

Marcinkowski's and Nancy's campaigns -- if Nancy even winds up actually running. I know she has an exploratory committee, but I don't know if she's decided for sure. I've signed up to volunteer on Marcinkowski's web site.

Where in Huntington Woods do your sister and brother-in-law live? I don't do a lot with the HW Peace group, but occasionally I attend things they put on.

[ray of light]

20. they live right near the zoo but by the golf course.

[SharonRB]

21. I'm closer to Coolidge on the first street into the "Woods"

[ray of light]

7. YES!!! Great turnout in Chicago!!! People turned away. AND

people in the overflow room. Updates on the Democracy Cell Project and Afterdowningstreet as quickly as they can.

[jazzjunkysue]

14. I was at the Brooklyn with Congressman Owen and Laura Flanders

from Air America Radio. I shook her hand and thanked her for my sanity. She was really sweet. She's also gorgeous. She should be on TV.

We had about 50 people at the Presbyterian Church on Oxford and Fulton st. Really nice. Great speakers, including a mom who lost a son in the war.

If anyone can host a pic for me, send me a private email, and I'll send it over and then post a link.

People are not worried or ruffled anymore: They're mighty pissed, and they know exactly why. It was the most intelligent, informed, purposefull presentation ever. Everyone who was there, including half the audience spoke well, covering lots of topics and asking all the right questions.

I'm proud of us.

:hug:

[SharonRB]

16. I am, too.

I'm so dumb, though. I keep forgetting that I can take photos with my phone. I had intended to take a few and then forgot. I really need to get a digital camera.

[jazzjunkysue]

23. woops. Dupe. Please delete.

[jazzjunkysue]

22. Please answer John Conyer's plea for help: Call your rep tomorrow

This is Laura Sanders of Air America Radio at the Brooklyn Town Hall meeting yesterday.

The Town Halls were part of tomorrow's calls for accountability. Conyers asked us all to call our Congresspersons tomorrow: Here's the link:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x80228

[undeterred]

24. There was a person who stood up and identified himself as Canadian

and he said- I can't vote or contact representatives because I am not an American citizen, but I just wanted to remind you that this presidency is affecting THE WHOLE WORLD in a negative way, not just Americans.