Thank you so much to everyone who came out in Philadelphia and in cities all over the world to take a stand against the on-going war in Africa.  In the past 23 years, there have been over 30,000 children abducted and made to fight in a war that began long before they were born.  Their mothers are often raped, killed or both and still nothing has been done to stop this war.
     On April 25th, tens of thousands of people came out in 100 different cities across the globe to sit in peaceful protest in an event called "The Rescue".  My girlfriend and I went to volunteer in Philly and I have to say it was an amazing experience.  The gathering was held in Independence Mall Park, just across from Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was inked.  The location was perfect.  On Saturday over 1,000 people showed up, the majority of which met at Campbells field in Camden, NJ and walked together to the park.  What was meant to be a one night event turned into a two day affair as many people stayed almost forty hours to ensure that the event's most important goal be met.  We were waiting for a major mogul from the area to come out and speak on behalf of the cause. Although, most people didn't really sleep through the first night, the second day truly began at 6 a.m. as film crews from ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX news all showed up with in minutes of each other to cover the story.  The hundreds of people who still remained from the day before immediately rejoiced in dancing and chanting in front of the cameras.  Our voices had been heard.  Over the next few hours the temperature grew quickly to an extremely sunny 90 degrees.  I've dealt with sleep deprivation before but never in sweltering heat.  The effect was somewhat maddening and resulted in a couple of hundred protestors who were borderline insane.  From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. it was up to those 100 insane people to call everyone that they knew in order to find some mogul to come and "rescue" us.  The term had begun to feel very relevant.  At around 3 o'clock there was a breakthrough as one of the organizers was able to contact Bucks County PA Representative, Patrick Murphy's office.  Although it was a Sunday, and he had a full schedule, representative Murphy agreed to come and speak on our behalf.  At 7 p.m. after some people had been at the park for almost 36 hours and awake for more than 40, our rescuer finally took the stage.  Since he was unfamiliar with the subject, (as are most Americans, politician or not), our volunteers wrote a short speech for him to give upon his arrival.  However when they offered it to him he protested saying he would rather speak from the heart.  At this point in my life, as soon as a politician begins talking I can't help feeling like they are an alien wearing a cloack of human skin.  They stare into me spinning expert lies until before I know it I've forgotten I suspected them to be a liars.  It doesn't matter who it is or even if I voted for them.  It's just a default attitude I can't seem to shake.  This speech was no different, I spent a few minutes listening to him speak and wishing I believed everything that he said.  Realistically, I liked everything I was hearing.  Due to his time in the Iraq war where he had lost 19 friends in all, he had returned home determined to find himself a position in the goverment where his voice would matter, and there he would fight for peace on all fronts.  So far so good, but still, if I turn my back he might lunge for my throat, take me back to his planet to use me as fuel for their vehicles.  The one thing that he said that made me really drop my guard a bit was something very similar to this.  "Too many people in congress these days vote one way on an issue because the majority heavily favors it.  Because of the pressure they get from different areas.  I've had people tell me, 'you may not agree but just hold your nose and make the vote.'  People do this because they are afraid to lose their seat.  I don't agree with this position, if I have to go back to being a school teacher when this term ends then I will, but for now while I am here I will do everything I can to stand for what I believe."
     That's how this goverment should be run.  Patrick Murphy ended his speech by saying he was on his way back to D.C. the next morning and he would do everything he could to get in the ears of the right people.  To get the ball rolling so to speak. 
     And this happened in 100 cities across the world.  The whispers are out there and they are growing stronger. 
     After nearly forty hours of singing and dancing and writing letters to senators and to President Obama we headed home.  Rescued.  We were struck with a very strong sense that we didn't do very much and still we were part of something very massive.  Our presence and our caring were enough.  And I thought to myself, if everyone cared just that much, just that little bit, what a different world that would be.  And we slept...

Brendan


If you'd like to hear what Representative Murphy actually said you can see it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP1h2vgygbc