Candidate joins anti-war rally

Mathews, 37th Dist. contender, Progressive Dems in anti-war protest.
By Hanna Chu, Staff writer, Press Telegram
June 11, 2007

Holding up a long banner that read, "Diplomacy, not warfare, out of Iraq," a group of about 25 people gathered at Seventh Street and Park Avenue in Long Beach to protest the Iraq war.

The anti-war, pro-peace protest was a collaborative effort between Progressive Democrats of America and the campaign team of Peter Mathews, a candidate for the open 37th Congressional District seat formerly held by Juanita Millender-McDonald.

"It's time to end (the war) right away, within six months, so I'm supporting HR 508, which is a bill by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey to bring troops home within six months and to bring in a regional stabilization force in Iraq," Mathews said.

Cars driving by honked at the protesters, who waved their signs and held up the two-finger peace symbol.

"I'm the only one who has come out to say that I support HR 508. I'm the only one leading an anti-war protest rally, actually," Mathews said.

Mathews has labeled himself the only candidate who is truly an anti-war supporter. He said he is endorsed by Progressive Democrats of America.

"We want to make sure that the Democrats are real Democrats like Peter, and not the ones that are sitting on the fence. We don't need two

Republican parties," said Bill Honigman of Progressive Democrats.
Actress Mimi Kennedy joined the rally to support both Mathews and the anti-war sentiment.

"I would not be here if the local chapter had not endorsed Peter Mathews," she said.

Kennedy, best known for her role as Dharma's mother in "Dharma and Greg," is the organization's national chair.

Other candidates in the 37th Congressional District election on June 26 include Daniel Abraham Brezenoff, Lee Davis, Mervin Evans, Felicia Ford, Bill Grisolia, Leroy Joseph Guillory, John Kanaley, Jeffrey Leavitt, Valerie McDonald, Jenny Oropeza, George A. Parmer, Jr., Herb Peters, Jeffrey Price, Teri Ramirez, Laura Richardson and Ed Wilson.

Hanna Chu can be reached at hanna.chu@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1476.