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We are so pleased that we had a presence at both the Democratic and
Republican National Conventions. We are working diligently to move
beyond partisanship and this is particularly challenging during an
election year. These are the times that make it clear that we must
focus on what we have in common to achieve unity and lasting solutions.
The DNC, reported by Kathy Kidd, National Field Director
The Denver team did an amazing job---deep thanks to everyone who made this possible and thanks to the Student Peace Alliance for making sure Peace Journalism had a presence!
It took us several months before we finally landed on an event that
excited all of us: a reception in a gelato shop near the convention.
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Several congressional offices and Denver-area politicians joined
us—many fewer than the number of cosponsors and yet-to-be-cosponsors
who had RSVP'd. Being in Denver and seeing all there is to do and the
difficulty of getting
around, however, one can understand why there was
not enough time to do it all.
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| Wendy Greene, Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Kathy Kidd and Charles Eliston at the gelato reception |
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Here are the successes I'd like to share:
- Every single Democrat in the House and the Senate was contacted and aware that we had a presence at the convention.
- We had several RSVP's from non-cosponsors with whom who we are following-up in D.C. and locally.
- People walked in with their official business airs on and by the time they mixed and mingled, they were relaxed and having fun---it was so much fun to see us demonstrate who we are, to watch us "be the bill" in this fun setting.
- There were 40+ Colorado volunteers/team leaders/state coordinators who helped and connected with each other, plus many students were there. We also had volunteers from other states at the convention who joined us.
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Thanks for all your support---your time, money, passion, commitment,
well wishes that you sent and continue to send. It was an amazing time!
None of it would have happened without you.
Connecting with all of our volunteers in Denver was a reminder of how
great the National Conferences are---when we get so many of us together
and get to experience the campaign in each
other, the energy and
enthusiasm is palpable!
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TJ Bowen, John Conyers (D-MI) and
Kristen Famula
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The RNC, reported by Wendy Greene, Managing Director
It was no accident that “Peace" was Convention theme for the day when Peace Alliance Managing Director of Communications Patty Kuderer and I joined Minnesota Co-state Coordinator Mary Jane LaVigne and Mel Duncan, Executive Director of Nonviolent PeaceForce, at the Open Forum stage outside the Republican National Convention.
Nearly a dozen incredible Minneapolis/St Paul area grassroots supporters came out, despite the very late night before, the cloudy and chill morning and the tense aura in town. It was a really wonderful show of support and the level of commitment in this campaign!
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Several volunteers walked the Convention streets, handing out
brochures to Delegates. At the Peace Island picnic, some Republican
Delegates came by the Department of Peace table, said it sounded
interesting, and took materials.
We started building important bridges and gained a powerful reminder of the deep need for this work.
Our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our participation
possible. I’m excited to think that in four years, we’ll have so many
more Republican cosponsors and grassroots members, we’ll need to host
our own party!
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Mel Duncan, Wendy Greene and Mary Jane LaVigne
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