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Progressives celebrate one year after Obama's election

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/05/2009 8:38 AM

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CHICAGO, IL—More than 400 progressives came together in downtown Chicago Tuesday to celebrate the first anniversary of President Obama’s historic election.
 
“We stand together today, on this anniversary of the election of change to celebrate his agenda,” said Chicago progressive leader Jane Ramsey to the cheering crowd.
 
Since Obama’s inauguration, critics have questioned Obama’s ability as the so-called agent of change, saying things are moving slowly under his administration. The economy, healthcare reform, two wars, immigration reform and a more energized opposition seems to be dragging his political agenda down. But supporters here disagree.
 
“He ended torture, he funded stem cell research, he passed the progressive budget that sets aside money for education, health care and human needs, instead of tax cuts for the rich,” said progressive leader William McNary. “We’ve come so far, but we’ve got so far to go.”
 
Supporters say they came to urge the president to continue addressing his unfinished campaign promises.

“We are here to remind him that a promise is promise and that we have long memories, and we have supported him a hundred percent,” said Grace Villamora of the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigration Rights.

As a symbolic action, supporters signed a larger-than-life letter addressed to the president to reaffirm their support and remind Obama of the issues that require his immediate action.
 
Addressing the crowd, the Reverend Jesse Jackson recited a litany of things Obama should continue to fight for.

“Keep fighting for the right to organize! Keep fighting for fair immigration policy, keep fighting for liberal wages, keep fighting to restructure loans and not repossess homes, keep fighting to reduce student loan debt, keep fighting expanding war in Afghanistan!” Rev. Jackson said.

President Obama has only been in office for about nine months. His supporters here say he still has more than 3 years to fulfill most if not all of his campaign promises. Supporters also say they are going to stand behind their elected president every step of the way.