Thanks to everyone who participated throughout the 19 days of Camp Hope. Our witness would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of so many individuals and members of over thirty participating organizations!
President Barck Obama recently signed an executive order to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, shut down secret CIA prsions across the globe, and end the practice of torture by all U.S. agencies. These actions indicate that we have reason to continue hoping that this administration can move the United States toward full realization of the progressive change asked for by Camp Hope.
We know that further changes will not happen with out considerable pressure from strong grassroots movements like the coalition that formed Camp Hope. We feel it is our duty to continue to work collectively to hold the Obama-Biden administration accountable for implementing changes they promised on the campaign trail; changes that will create a peaceful, just, and sustainable society both domestically and internationally.
January 19th, Federal Plaza
(More Photos from Camp Hope)
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Camp Hope - Countdown to Change
In January, 2009, Barack Obama was inaugurated as president of the United States. We earnestly hope his presidency will signal the dawning of long-needed progressive change in the United States. To help build popular momentum behind the progressive goals of President Obama’s campaign, a group of local and national grassroots orginizations maintained a 19-day presence, from January 1 – 19, 2009, in Hyde Park, Chicago: "Camp Hope: Countdown To Change."
Every day from New Years’ to Dr. Martin Luther King Day, whatever winter had in store for us, we set up at the intersection of East Hyde Park Boulevard and South Drexel Avenue to congratulate Senator Obama as our new President-elect and recommit ourselves to progressive actions he promoted on his campaign trail. We urged President-elect Obama to take eight actions immediately upon being sworn into office, reminding ourselves that these actions would be only early steps to more profound policy changes.
Camp Hope sought action on:
- War in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Global Climate Change
- Nuclear Weapons
- Guantanamo and Torture
- Immigrant Rights
- Unemployment and the Prison-Industrial Complex
- Housing Foreclosures
- Universal Health Care
Download Camp Hope Flyer Color
Download Camp Hope Flyer Black and White