Contact Jeff Cohen jeff@pdamerica.org or Tim Carpenter tim@pdamerica.org, 413-320-2015
Progressive Democrats Bounce Back, Gather in D.C.
Washington, DC - Bruised but emboldened after challenging the Democratic leadership over its appropriations bill that would prolong the unwinnable Iraq occupation, Progressive Democrats of America is convening its National Leadership Conference this weekend in Washington D.C. University of District of Columbia Law School, 6 pm Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25.
In the wake of the conflict with Democratic leaders over Iraq, energized PDA leaders and activists from coast to coast will be gathering in D.C. for panels and strategy sessions aimed at building progressive clout inside the Democratic Party, and strengthening outside coalitions on issues from single-payer Medicare for All to fair trade and union rights to Iraq and Iran.
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), a staunch critic of the Iraq occupation and a PDA advisory board member, will kick off the conference Friday evening.
Panelists over the weekend will include Marilyn Clement (Healthcare Now), former AFL-CIO official Bill Fletcher (Center for Labor Renewal), Lori Wallach (Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch), and Bill Goold (Congressional Progressive Caucus).
Many PDA board members will be speaking, including Medea Benjaman (Code Pink), Greg Moore (NAACP Voter Fund) and Terry Lierman, Maryland Democratic Party State Chair.
"We're unhappy with the failure of Democratic leaders to heed the voters' message of November '06 to get out of Iraq," said PDA director Tim Carpenter. "PDA emerges from this battle with more experience, cohesion and capacity - as we work hand-in-hand with courageous progressives in Congress to turn this country toward peace and justice."
Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Extend the victory of November 2006 into a governing progressive majority. PDA's National Advisory Board includes six members of Congress and activist leaders Tom Hayden, Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info: http://pdamerica.org/.
