Friends, your being here today indicates your understanding of and commitment to a central truth of American history: that social change never happens until ordinary citizens take to the streets, risk jail through civil disobedience, and set priorities for the government on peace and justice issues. That was true during the abolitionist, labor, and feminist movements of the past, as it is true in the anti-war movement today.

So, here we are, pleading our case, as we have again and again every Tuesday at Lincoln Square and every Wednesday at Elm Park, saying "Support the Troops: Bring Them Home NOW!" That's the message of the American people regarding the war on Iraq, as it was the message at our demonstration on this very spot 41 years ago regarding the war on Vietnam, "Stop the Killing!" "War Does Not Make Us Safe!" "No Funding for Warmaking."

Is there any doubt about the statement, "War Does Not Make Us Safe"? Ending war in Vietnam brought us to this point, where we now enjoy good diplomatic relationships with that country, as a local citizen and neighbor, Dr. Jeff Stovall, Worcester Healthlink, works in Vietnam at this very moment, to strengthen its program in mental health.

Ending the war on Iraq would free us to help rebuild that country and to halt the recruitment of terrorists around the world, now furthered by our disastrous and cruel foreign policy.