The Patrick Henry Democratic Club 2008 Peace Activist of the Year Chuck Anderson

In 2003, when the war started in Iraq, Chuck Anderson organized a peace rally at Bristol and Anton in Costa Mesa, across the street from the most opulent shopping center in Orange County California. That protest continues every Friday from 5 to 7 P.M. and will continue until the war is ended. Of all the peace protests, this one is the most open-minded and inclusive of those in Southern California. In addition to supporting peace, protestors often bring signs in support of other human rights causes they care about. Nobody has ever been turned away or told to go home – even Bush supporters who showed up to try to make their statement. The Bush supporters gave up as they couldn’t start a fight. Chuck believes in freedom of speech and treating his fellow protestor as he would like to be treated.

Chuck has worked for other human rights causes as well, including calling for an end to the holocaust in Palestine, an end to the School of the Americas, an end to police violence in the United States and an end to racism. He has organized events in support of the release of political prisoners, such as the Cuban Five, and in support of the extradition/and or trial of terrorists, such as Posada and George W. Bush.

To many who know Chuck, he has a huge heart that is always open to doing good for his fellow man. He has often been the target of provocateurs, who target good-doers. He has been egged and arrested for supporting peace. He doesn’t let that stop him from continuing his quest for peace and justice. Though some members felt he deserved the peace activist award of the century, these are annual awards. Chuck Anderson has shown that one person can make a tremendous difference.

Young Dems