------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Nov. 7, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
2,000 RALLY IN HUDSON VALLEY By Jack A. Smith Kingston, N.Y. As five buses full of activists from New York's Hudson Valley were demonstrating for peace in Washington on Oct. 26, another 2,000 local residents participated in an anti- war rally and march here despite a persistent cold rain. The event, organized by the Mid-Hudson National People's Campaign, was the largest demonstration of its kind ever held in this Hudson Valley city of 23,000 people. Nearly 30 local peace, justice, student and religious organizations throughout the region endorsed the actions and brought their members to take part in International ANSWER's day of protest. A large proportion of the participants were between the ages of 18 and 25. The legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, 83, kept the crowd in Academy Green Park as warm as possible with his sing-along versions of such songs as "This land is your land." Some 20 other speakers and singers addressed the audience. Radical Cheerleaders--a four-woman team from the state university at New Paltz--performed anti-war and left chants in the fashion of sports cheerleaders. Introducing the rally, a spokesperson for the Mid-Hudson NPC declared: "The Bush administration has exploited the Sept. 11 tragedy to promote a right-wing agenda at home, including the militarization of American society to achieve worldwide hegemony." The marchers refused to remain on the sidewalk, as the police permit specified, and occupied the entire street. One activist was slightly injured when a motorist sought to drive through the march. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
