Nader Event

(feel free to forward far and wide)

This is a personal report on the Nader event in San Francisco.

Friday June 16th - there was a big enthusiastic crowd of over a 1000 people in San Francisco. There were a number of excellent speakers including the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors John Gonzales, and canidate for District 9 board of supervisor Rene Saucedo - both Green Party members.

Representatives from immigrant workers group ( Centro Azteca ) spoke about working people's issues - and got loud applause!

And Jess Ghannam - a Palestinian activist, and chief of medical psychology at UCSF - spoke passionately on Palestine, and got a sustained applause with chants of Free Palestine Free Palestine, Jess was the only speaker who returned to the stage to say a few more words to this incredibly sustained and enthusiastic response... he said that it is because of people like you, that Palestine will be free!

Both Camejo and Nader spoke eloquently about the issues that are familiar to folks here - including the dirty tricks that the Democrats are running against the campaigen

(my view: now that Kerry has effectively capitulated to the Bush doctrine, the Nader/Camejo campaigen remains the only true electoral obstacle to this corporate run "democracy" and their imperial visions ).

Even if we do not win, if the campaigen can bring to forefront the fallacy of ABB (anybody but bush) and clearly bring out the issues. Through exposing the "two" corporate parties, the Nader/Camejo people can make a very significant impact.

I was impressed with the passion of both Camejo and Nader. I found Nader to be much more eloquent than four years ago, he seems to be even more clearly speaking on the issues. And if he spoke somewhat Chomsky like in 2000 - excellent analyses but not much by way inspiration, now he is speaking with a real sense of urgency, and excitement.

At this time the task for California is to get the signatures - we need some 200,000+ signatures over the next three weeks (150K is required, +another 50-75K margin ) - The Democratic Party has stated their intent to challenge these signatures.

It is very important that there are volunteers for this effort, who are willing to petition wherever there are crowds of people.

The campaigen office is at 318 Harrison in Oakland, coordinator:
Forrest Hill Forrest [at] votenader.org

For another more comprehensive report with video and audio links see:

http://www.indybay.org/news/2004/07/1689099.php

Thanx!

Altaf