Yes, this rally came together quickly! The people who gathered at Washington, DC’s Freedom Plaza on Saturday—Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, future Volunteers and those who simply support and believe in the mission and promise of the Peace Corps—were enthusiastic and vocal. They were there to call on the President and Congress to provide the resources necessary to revitalize and build a bold new Peace Corps.
Under a blazing afternoon sky, they listened to speakers such as Peace Corps pioneer Senator Harris Wofford; Jamaican Ambassador Anthony Johnson; author and advocate Laurence Leamer; MorePeaceCorps Coordinator Rajeev Goyal; and National Peace Corps Association President Kevin Quigley.
“Nearly fifty years ago President Kennedy called our country to service,” said Quigley. “Now President Obama is calling us to serve again. Tens of thousands of Americans want to--and more than 20 countries are requesting Peace Corps programs. This event is to encourage President Obama’s leadership and Congressional support for a bold new Peace Corps. The world wants this and our country needs this.”
In between the speeches there were pulsating performances by local rock band Cairo Fred, all-female Afro-Brazilian drum group Batala Washington D.C, and Peruvian flute player Juan Cayrampoma. A letter to President Obama and the First Lady in the form of a hundred foot scroll bisected the plaza and participants knelt down to write their heartfelt thoughts about the importance of Peace Corps.
The program concluded with a rousing speech by Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International and son of Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver. Then, chanting, he led the rally participants bearing Peace Corps banners and signs, on a three block march from Freedom Plaza to the front of the White House.
Links:
For pictures of the rally, see the NPCA Flickr photostream here.
For pictures of the letter to President Obama, click here.
Recent Comments