Benjamin admitted she's been deeply affected by the fast of the last two weeks she's been doing, she says, "to bring the troops home fast."
"I do get a little dizzy once in a while. Like today running around in the sun. I get a little less sharp and focused. On the other hand, you feel much more grounded, centered, because you're thinking about it all the time. Absorbing a little bit of suffering of the troops and their families and the Iraqi people," Benjamin said.
MCKINNEY CELEBRATION INCLUDES DANCING, BIG SPEECH
The celebration included singing, dancing, poetry, musical instruments, and more. McKinney, Benjamin, Sheehan, and copious local activists including Sir Jesse of the Feminist Outlaws boogied down on the dancefloor.
It was hosted by Bessie Winn, Miss Black Georgia USA. Performances were done by Delores Major, a jazz funk electric violinist; gospel singer Wanda Trent-Phillips; dancer Trinette Ogunnusi; Antoinette Dunstan, and others.
McKinney received the most votes in the Primary, but, as we said earlier, not enough to avoid a runoff with Hank Johnson. At the end of the night she gave a passionate speech, surrounded by supporters, and in front of every major media outlet fathomable.
"Some people think by repeating something that's not true makes it so. Just repeating a lie doesn't make it true," McKinney said.
"I'm the one who tells the truth. On what George Bush knew about 9/11. I put my body against the war machine, against the wheels and the levers of the machine. And I said you've got to stop it."
"We believe in the power of the people over special interests every time. I have a strong and uncompromising position against the war machine. It is outrageous [US Secretary of Defense] Rumsfeld can go before Congress and say $2,500,000,000,000 [2.5 trillion dollars] was lost and our children are suffering."
"I have said [much] about this and so much more... The Carlyle Group... The defense contracts of Haliburton. I don't mind speaking truth to power."
"I'm asking the people of the 4th Congressional District to stand with me now... who think America is on the wrong track and think America can do better."
"Quite frankly, we've been in this place before, but you know what? It is impossible to keep a good woman down. I intend to fight the good fight. I will continue to tell the truth. I will challenge anyone who tries to destroy anything [I've built]. This battle is now engaged. We intend to win."
About the author:
Matthew Cardinale is the News Editor and a National Correspondent for Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com This article contained additional reporting by Matthew Cardinale, News Editor.
Syndication policy:
This article may be reprinted in full at no cost where Atlanta Progressive News is credited.
Matthew Cardinale is Editor of Atlanta Progressive News. He has written previously for the Sun-Sentinel Newspaper, Shelterforce Magazine, The Advocate Magazine, The San Francisco Bay View, and the Berkeley Daily Planet Newspaper. He has also written for numerous online publications including OpEdNews, BuzzFlash, CommonDreams, AlterNet, RawStory, and TruthOut.
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
