7,500 cheering people greeted former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader in Portland, Oregon on Saturdaynight, in what was his first major political event since last year’s election.
Last year, a similar rally in Portland launched a series of "super rallies" around the country for his presidentialcampaign. This time, the Portland event is meant to launch a new "grass-roots movement" called Democracy Rising.More rallies are expected around the country.
In his hour-long speech, Nader urged audience members to harness citizens’ discontent with corporate-ledglobalization, the corruption of the political system, the destruction of the environment, low-paying jobs andpoverty.
Outside, two dozen people protested, claiming that Nader’s presidential run did little more than hand the 2000election to George W. Bush.
Guests:
- Ralph Nader, long-time consumer advocate, former Green Party Presidential candidate, founder of the neworganization, Democracy Rising.
- Winona Laduke, community activist, writer, and former vice presidential candidate. She is an OjibweNative American, speaking from the White Earth Reservation in Northern Minnesota.
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