Summit Residents "Take a Stand" Against the War

On Tuesday, August 28th, over 100 constituents of Representative Ferguson gathered at the Knights of Columbus Hall is Summit to here speakers from local peace groups and to send a message to the Congressman that they want him to reconsider his support of the Iraq war.

After hearing moving speeches from Madelyn Hoffman of NJ Peace Action, Paula Rogovin of Military Families Speak Out, Jim Walsh of Citizen Action and Steve Hatcher of People's Organization for Progress, constituents were permitted to direct questions to Congressman Ferguson. He was unable to attend the event due to a prior commitment but a likeness of the Congressman occupied his empty chair. Rosemary Levine (pictured above) a resident of Summit was one of those who posed a question to the Congressman. She asked "Congressman Ferguson, have you read any books on Islam? If so which ones and where do you get your information about Iraq?"

Representatives from many local peace groups were on hand networking circulating petitions and distributing flyers for upcoming events. These groups included, NJ Peace Action, Military Families Speak Out, NJ Citizen Action, People's Organization for Progress, Union County Peace Council, Impeach Them, Summit Interfaith Vigil and Pax Christi Summit.

The event was organized by the "Iraq Summer" campaign as a part of the national "Take a Stand" day. This 10 week long campaign has about 100 organizer in 40 different congressional districts across the country.