People for Peace and Justice
of Utah
Speeches made at actions in Salt Lake City, Utah
People for Peace and Justice of Utah
|
a grassroots organization advocating nonviolence and justice
January 20 and 22, 2005 ~ No War! Speeches made at actions in Salt Lake City, Utah |
 Amanda Madden, East High School Student January 22, 2005 ~ city County Building Early last November, we found who our president would be, George W. Bush. After already experiencing four years under Bush and his administration, I think we all felt some amount of grief that day. As with all grieving, we have gone through various stages. We felt anger. How did this happen? Look what has happened to the environment, women's rights, healthcare and education in the past four years. Some of us tried to deny that it had happened. It must be a mistake. We couldn't have chosen this man to be our country's leader. Some of us tried bargaining with a higher power. Although we go in and out of these stages, depending on the days news events, in order to move on, we must accept. However, acceptance does not mean giving in. It does not mean giving up. It does not mean abandoning our goals and dreams. Acceptance means that we acknowledge where we are and then use that knowledge to move forward with increased focus, clarity and meaning. I hear people saying, "We have four more years. What are going to do? It will be a disaster." That may be true. We do have four more years under an administration who has forgotten the meaning of compassion for all beings, the importance of allowing the voices of its people to be clearly heard and the principle of democracy that this country was founded on. Four years takes on even deeper meaning for this country's youth because during the next four years, it is us, the youth, who will be sent to fight in a war that began with a lie. In an economy that favors few, it will be us, the youth, who will struggle to pay for education and find meaningful jobs. With rising costs of healthcare, it will be us, the youth, who must find a way to provide funds for not only our own health needs, but also those of our parents. We accept where we are and what lies ahead of us, but think of it like this. We ONLY have four years. Only four years to make a profound change. Youth: we will be the voters, the policy makers and the leaders of this country. Let's show them how powerful we are, that we do have a voice, that we aren't afraid of speaking out and that we stand up for what we believe. In that short time we must all stand boldly and proclaim our beliefs. We must stand against what is wrong and take responsibility to do what is right. So, today, we are here, not to grieve but to celebrate the power we have. This is our country. Let's take it back! |
Photos of January 20 and 22 Actions